01
ausheben
to excavate
To dig a hole or trench in the ground.
example
Die Bauarbeiter haben eine Grube für das Fundament des Hauses ausgehoben.
The construction workers excavated a pit for the foundation of the house.
ausheben
to excavate / lift out
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ausheben' is a separable verb made up of 'aus' (out) and 'heben' (to lift). The basic idea of 'lifting something out' helps you understand all its meanings, whether literal or metaphorical.
EXAMPLE
Der Gärtner hob vorsichtig die jungen Pflanzen aus der Erde aus.
The gardener carefully lifted the young plants out of the soil.
Typical collocations
When it is about digging work, 'ausheben' is typically used with objects such as 'eine Grube' (a pit), 'ein Loch' (a hole), or 'einen Graben' (a trench).
EXAMPLE
Für den neuen Baum müssen wir ein tiefes Loch ausheben.
We have to excavate a deep hole for the new tree.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'herausheben' (to lift out), the verb is often used in connection with building elements. A very common phrase is 'eine Tür aus den Angeln heben' (to lift a door off its hinges).
EXAMPLE
Der Handwerker musste das schwere Fenster aus dem Rahmen ausheben.
The craftsman had to lift the heavy window out of the frame.
Context clue
The metaphorical meaning 'zerschlagen' (to break up) is used almost exclusively in the context of police, the military, and crime. Typical objects are 'ein Drogennest' (a drug den), 'eine Bande' (a gang), or 'ein Waffenlager' (an arms depot).
EXAMPLE
Der Spezialeinheit gelang es, das Versteck der Terroristen auszuheben.
The special unit succeeded in raiding the terrorists' hideout.
Register
The meaning 'Soldaten rekrutieren' (to recruit soldiers) is historical. It is used when talking about earlier times when there was conscription or forced muster. In modern usage, it is uncommon.
EXAMPLE
Während des Krieges wurden viele junge Bauern ausgehoben und an die Front geschickt.
During the war, many young farmers were conscripted and sent to the front.
Compare with
ausheben vs festnehmen
to arrest
'festnehmen' and 'ausheben' can both appear in reports about the police or the military. 'festnehmen' refers directly to a person: the police take someone into custody because there is a suspicion. 'ausheben' usually refers to a group, a hideout, or a network. In this case, the hideout or organization is broken up through an operation; people are often arrested in the process as well. The words can be confused because arrests can be part of 'ausheben'. Remember: you arrest people ('Personen festnehmen'), but you raid a hideout or break up a gang ('ein Versteck oder eine Bande ausheben').
ausheben
Bei der Razzia hob die Polizei ein Versteck der Bande aus.
During the raid, the police raided one of the gang's hideouts.
festnehmen
Die Polizei nahm den Verdächtigen am Bahnhof fest.
The police arrested the suspect at the train station.
In real life
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