to exhaust / deplete
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to deplete
To use something up completely so that none of it is left. Often refers to resources, supplies, or possibilities.
Nach wochenlanger Suche hatten die Retter alle Möglichkeiten erschöpft.
After weeks of searching, the rescuers had exhausted all possibilities.
The verb is made up of 'er-' and 'schöpfen' (to scoop/draw). 'Schöpfen' means to take something out, for example water. So 'erschöpfen' (to exhaust/deplete) has the literal idea of taking something out until nothing is left—whether resources or one's own strength.
Wir haben unsere finanziellen Reserven vollständig erschöpft.
We have completely depleted our financial reserves.
The past participle 'erschöpft' is very commonly used as an adjective and means 'very tired'. The form 'Ich bin erschöpft' (I am exhausted) is more common in everyday speech than the active sentence 'Die Arbeit erschöpft mich' (The work exhausts me).
Nach dem langen Flug waren alle Reisenden völlig erschöpft.
After the long flight, all the travelers were completely exhausted.
The meaning 'to be limited to something' exists only in the reflexive form with the preposition 'in' and the dative: 'sich in etwas (Dativ) erschöpfen' (to amount to / be limited to something).
Seine Hilfe erschöpfte sich leider in guten Ratschlägen.
Unfortunately, his help amounted to good advice.
In the meaning 'to use up', 'erschöpfen' (to deplete/exhaust) is usually used with abstract nouns. Typical objects are: die Vorräte (supplies), die Ressourcen (resources), die Geduld (patience), or ein Thema (a topic).
Nach zwei Stunden war das Thema vollständig erschöpft und es gab nichts mehr zu sagen.
After two hours, the topic was completely exhausted and there was nothing more to say.
to take along / take away
'mitnehmen' and 'erschöpfen' can both express that someone has little strength afterward. 'erschöpfen' mainly refers to physical or mental tiredness: work, exercise, or stress makes someone very tired. 'mitnehmen' is broader and often more emotional. A sad event, difficult news, or a long illness can wear someone out. In that case, the person is not only tired, but emotionally burdened. When it is clearly about strong tiredness, 'erschöpfen' fits well. When an experience makes someone sad or leaves them feeling very affected, 'mitnehmen' sounds more natural.
Nach drei Stunden Training erschöpft ihn jeder weitere Lauf.
After three hours of training, every additional run exhausts him.
Der lange Streit in der Familie nimmt Paul noch immer mit.
The long argument in the family is still taking a toll on Paul.