verprügeln
Translation
to beat up, to thrash, to batter
Examples
Er wurde auf der Straße verprügelt.
He was beaten up on the street.
Sie drohten damit, ihn zu verprügeln.
They threatened to beat him up.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) ((verprügeln)) to beat (sb.) up The thieves beat up the old man.
Similar Words
Synonyms: schlagen (to hit), zusammenschlagen (to beat up); Antonyms: streicheln (to stroke), pflegen (to care for)
Etymology
Comes from the prefix 'ver-' (implying excess or a bad result) plus 'prügeln' (to club, to beat). It means 'to beat excessively'.
Memory Tips
The 'ver-' prefix often makes a verb more intense or negative. Imagine it escalating a simple 'beating' into a severe 'battering'.