Verb

um|krempeln

to roll up, to turn inside out, to revolutionize, to shake up

Er krempelt die Ärmel hoch.

He rolls up his sleeves.

Sie will das ganze System umkrempeln.

She wants to revolutionize the whole system.

to roll up ((sth.)) He rolls up his sleeves.

to revolutionize ((sth.)) The new CEO will shake up the company.

verändern, revolutionieren (figurative); hochkrempeln (literal)

From the prefix 'um-' (around, over) and 'krempeln' (to turn, to card wool). Literally, to turn something over.

Imagine rolling up your sleeves ('Ärmel umkrempeln') to start a big, revolutionary change. The physical action helps remember the figurative meaning.

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