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
ausheben
to lift out
To lift something out of its anchoring or frame.
EXAMPLE
Um die Tür zu reparieren, mussten wir sie zuerst aus den Angeln ausheben.
To repair the door, we first had to lift it off its hinges.
ausheben
to raid
(Military, police) To break up an organization or hideout through a raid and arrest its members.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei hat ein Drogennest in der Innenstadt ausgehoben.
The police raided a drug den in the city center.
ausheben
to conscript
(Military, historical) To forcibly recruit soldiers for military service.
EXAMPLE
Im 19. Jahrhundert wurden viele junge Männer für die Armee ausgehoben.
In the 19th century, many young men were conscripted into the army.
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 einberufen
to call up / to convene
Both words can be associated with calling people up for military service. einberufen refers to the official call-up of a specific person for service, whereas ausheben more often describes forcibly recruiting soldiers. For an official start of military service, einberufen is usually the better choice.
ausheben
Früher wurden in vielen Dörfern junge Männer für den Wehrdienst ausgehoben.
In the past, young men in many villages were forcibly recruited for military service.
einberufen
Nach der Untersuchung wurde Jonas offiziell zum Wehrdienst einberufen.
After the examination, Jonas was officially called up for military service.
In real life
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