to pierce
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to pierce through
To drill or pierce a hole all the way through an object. This can be done with a tool or a pointed object.
Er musste die dicke Holzwand durchbohren, um das Kabel zu verlegen.
He had to pierce through the thick wooden wall to lay the cable.
to pierce
To look at someone with an intense, fixed gaze that is perceived as penetrating or unpleasant.
Sie durchbohrte ihn mit ihrem Blick, als er versuchte, eine Ausrede zu finden.
She pierced him with her gaze as he tried to come up with an excuse.
The verb 'durchbohren' (to pierce through) is inseparable. The prefix 'durch-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'bohren' (to drill) in all sentence forms and tenses.
Der Handwerker durchbohrte die Wand an mehreren Stellen.
The craftsman pierced the wall in several places.
You can recognize the meaning from the object of the sentence. If it is a physical object such as a wall or wood, the literal meaning is intended. If the object is a person, it refers to an intense gaze.
Man muss das Metall langsam durchbohren, damit es nicht überhitzt.
You have to pierce through the metal slowly so that it doesn't overheat.
The figurative meaning is almost always used in the fixed expression 'jemanden mit seinem Blick durchbohren' (to pierce someone with one's gaze). The 'tool' here is therefore the gaze.
Sie sagte kein Wort, sondern durchbohrte ihn nur mit ihrem eiskalten Blick.
She didn't say a word, but only pierced him with her icy gaze.
to fix / to stare at
Fixieren and durchbohren can both describe looking at someone with an unwavering, intense gaze. Fixieren emphasizes directing one’s gaze firmly at a person. Durchbohren is stronger and figuratively describes a gaze that seems particularly penetrating or unpleasant to the person being watched.
Die Ermittlerin durchbohrte den Verdächtigen während seiner Antwort mit einem unangenehm scharfen Blick.
The investigator pierced the suspect with an unpleasantly sharp gaze as he answered.
Die Ermittlerin fixierte den Verdächtigen während seiner Antwort mit festem Blick.
The investigator fixed the suspect with a steady gaze as he answered.
