to turn off / eliminate
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to turn off
To put an electrical device, machine, or function out of operation by cutting off the power supply.
Vergiss bitte nicht, den Fernseher auszuschalten, bevor du schlafen gehst.
Please don't forget to turn off the TV before you go to sleep.
to eliminate
To remove or neutralize an opponent, competitor, or disruptive factor from a competition or process.
Die Mannschaft konnte ihren stärksten Gegner im Halbfinale ausschalten.
The team was able to eliminate its strongest opponent in the semifinal.
to switch off
To mentally switch off and relax by stopping yourself from thinking about problems or work.
Nach einem langen Arbeitstag muss ich beim Sport einfach mal eine Stunde lang mich ausschalten.
After a long workday, I simply need to switch off for an hour while exercising.
'Ausschalten' (to turn off / eliminate) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Schaltest du bitte das Licht aus?
Will you please turn off the light?
In the literal meaning, 'ausschalten' (to turn off) is used with electrical devices or functions. Common objects are: das Licht (the light), das Radio (the radio), den Fernseher (the TV), das Handy (the cell phone), den Motor (the engine), or die Heizung (the heating).
Bevor wir in den Urlaub fahren, schalten wir die Heizung aus.
Before we go on vacation, we turn off the heating.
You can recognize this figurative meaning from the context of competition, sports, or conflict. The object here is not a device, but a person, group, or factor, e.g. ein Gegner (an opponent), ein Konkurrent (a competitor), or die Konkurrenz (the competition).
Die Firma versucht, die Konkurrenz durch niedrigere Preise auszuschalten.
The company is trying to eliminate the competition through lower prices.
In the meaning 'to mentally switch off', the verb is always used reflexively in German: 'sich ausschalten'. The reflexive pronoun is in the accusative and refers back to the subject.
Beim Joggen kann ich mich am besten ausschalten.
I can switch off best when jogging.
to exclude / rule out
Both verbs can mean that an opponent no longer takes part. Ausschließen emphasizes a formal decision, while ausschalten highlights defeating or neutralizing the opponent. Use ausschließen for an official participation decision and ausschalten when the opponent is defeated.
Der Verein schaltete den stärksten Gegner im Halbfinale aus.
The club eliminated its strongest opponent in the semifinals.
Der Verein schloss den Spieler wegen eines Regelverstoßes vom Wettbewerb aus.
The club excluded the player from the competition because of a rule violation.
