runterholen
to bring down
To bring or get something down from an elevated position.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir bitte die Kiste vom obersten Regal runterholen?
Can you please bring the box down from the top shelf for me?
runterholen
to bring down / calm down
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Meanings
runterholen
to bring down
Colloquially, to calm someone down from a state of excitement, panic, or euphoria and bring them back down to earth.
EXAMPLE
Er war total euphorisch nach dem Sieg, aber die schlechte Nachricht hat ihn schnell wieder runtergeholt.
He was totally euphoric after the victory, but the bad news quickly brought him back down.
jemandem einen runterholen
to give someone a handjob
A vulgar expression for the sexual act of masturbating another person, usually a man.
EXAMPLE
In dem Roman gibt es eine explizite Szene, in der sie ihm einen runterholt.
In the novel, there is an explicit scene in which she gives him a handjob.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Runterholen' (to bring down) is a separable verb. The prefix 'runter' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich hole dir den Koffer vom Schrank runter.
I'll bring the suitcase down from the wardrobe for you.
Colloquial form
The prefix 'runter' is a colloquial short form of 'herunter' (down). In more formal contexts or in written language, you would use 'herunterholen' (to bring down/get down).
EXAMPLE
Der Bibliothekar holte das alte Buch vorsichtig vom Regal herunter.
The librarian carefully took the old book down from the shelf.
Distinguishing meanings
You can recognize the meaning from the object: if it refers to an object, the literal meaning is intended. If the object is a person, it is about calming someone down. You can recognize the vulgar meaning from the fixed expression 'jemandem einen runterholen' (to give someone a handjob).
EXAMPLE
Er holte die Lampe von der Decke runter.
He took the lamp down from the ceiling.
Register: vulgar language
The expression 'jemandem einen runterholen' (to give someone a handjob) is a vulgar expression for a sexual act. It belongs to crude colloquial language and should only be used with extreme caution, as it is perceived as very direct and often offensive.
EXAMPLE
Der Film wurde wegen einiger expliziter Szenen kritisiert.
The film was criticized because of several explicit scenes.
Compare with
runterholen vs beruhigen
to calm
Beruhigen and runterholen can both mean making an agitated person calm down again. Beruhigen is the general and neutral term, while runterholen is colloquial and places more emphasis on an heightened state such as panic or euphoria and on returning to reality. In neutral situations, „beruhigen“ is usually the better choice.
runterholen
Seine Freunde holten ihn nach dem überraschenden Erfolg wieder auf den Boden der Tatsachen zurück.
After his unexpected success, his friends brought him back down to earth.
beruhigen
Die Sanitäter beruhigten den aufgeregten Mann nach dem Unfall.
The paramedics calmed the agitated man after the accident.
In real life
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