to let off steam / to rage
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to let off steam
To release pent-up energy through wild playing, running, and loud behavior. Usually used for children or young animals.
Lass die Kinder im Garten sich austoben, bevor es Abendessen gibt.
Let the children let off steam in the garden before dinner.
to let loose
To freely live out one's creative ideas, passions, or impulses without restrictions.
Als Künstler konnte er sich auf der großen Leinwand richtig austoben.
As an artist, he could really let loose on the large canvas.
to rage
Refers to forces of nature or conflicts that rage with full force and then subside or end.
Nachdem der Sturm sich ausgetobt hatte, schien wieder die Sonne.
After the storm had raged itself out, the sun shone again.
'Austoben' is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus' stands at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Die Kinder tobten sich auf dem Spielplatz richtig aus.
The children really let off steam on the playground.
The verb consists of the prefix 'aus-' and the verb 'toben' (to be wild, to rage). The prefix 'aus-' intensifies the meaning and expresses that the action is carried out completely or to the end.
Lass die Kinder im Garten toben, bis sie sich ausgetobt haben.
Let the children romp around in the garden until they have let off steam.
When people or animals release their energy, the verb is used reflexively: 'sich austoben' (to let off steam). The reflexive pronoun (sich, mich, dich, etc.) is necessary here.
Nach der langen Autofahrt mussten die Hunde sich erstmal austoben.
After the long car ride, the dogs first had to let off steam.
The subject of the sentence tells you the exact meaning. 'Kinder' (children) or 'Tiere' (animals) physically let off steam. 'Künstler' (artists) or 'Kreative' (creative people) let loose in a figurative sense. 'Sturm' (storm) or 'Gewitter' (thunderstorm) refer to forces of nature.
Als Designerin kann sie sich bei diesem Projekt kreativ austoben.
As a designer, she can creatively let loose on this project.
to romp / rage
Toben and sich austoben describe wild, noisy playing or running around. Toben focuses mainly on the behavior itself, while sich austoben additionally emphasizes that pent-up energy is released in the process. Use toben for the wild activity and sich austoben when releasing the energy is important.
Die Kinder dürfen im Garten spielen, damit sie sich vor dem Abendessen austoben.
The children are allowed to play in the garden so they can let off steam before dinner.
Die Kinder toben im Garten und rennen laut zwischen den Bäumen herum.
The children are romping around in the garden, running noisily between the trees.
