to confuse / unsettle
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not to be deterred
Not to let oneself be turned away from one's path, opinion, or goal, even though there are obstacles or differing opinions.
Trotz der vielen Kritik ließ sie sich nicht beirren und verfolgte ihren Plan weiter.
Despite all the criticism, she was not deterred and continued to pursue her plan.
'Beirren' (to confuse/unsettle) comes from the verb 'irren' (to be mistaken, to wander around). The inseparable prefix 'be-' turns it into a transitive verb: to lead someone astray or confuse them.
Die widersprüchlichen Informationen beirrten die Ermittler.
The contradictory information confused the investigators.
This verb is used almost exclusively in the fixed, negated expression 'sich nicht beirren lassen' (not to be deterred). This construction with the reflexive pronoun 'sich' and 'lassen' is very important.
Er ließ sich nicht beirren und erreichte sein Ziel.
He was not deterred and reached his goal.
To name the cause of the disturbance or distraction, the preposition 'von' with the dative is often used. The pattern is: sich von jemandem/etwas nicht beirren lassen (not to let oneself be deterred by someone/something).
Die Sportlerin ließ sich von den lauten Rufen des Publikums nicht beirren.
The athlete was not deterred by the loud calls from the crowd.
to confuse / irritate
Irritieren describes how objections confuse or disturb someone. Sich nicht beirren lassen, by contrast, focuses on the person’s continued course: despite the objections, they remain committed to their goal or opinion. So being irritated or confused does not necessarily mean that someone changes course.
Trotz der vielen Einwände lässt sie sich bei ihrer Präsentation nicht beirren.
Despite the many objections, she is not deterred during her presentation.
Die vielen Einwände irritieren sie kurz während ihrer Präsentation.
The many objections briefly unsettle her during her presentation.
