machinations / fuss / rotation
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machinations
Refers, often in the plural, to secret, usually negative activities or schemes aimed at causing unrest or thwarting plans.
Die Regierung warnte vor subversiven Umtrieben extremistischer Gruppen.
The government warned of subversive machinations by extremist groups.
fuss / hassle
A large amount of effort or trouble, often perceived as unnecessary or annoying, that is made for something.
Für eine einfache Unterschrift musste ich einen riesigen Umtrieb machen.
For a simple signature, I had to make a huge fuss.
rotation period
In forestry, the period of time from the planting or natural regeneration of a stand of trees until its harvest.
Bei Eichen beträgt der Umtrieb oft mehr als 150 Jahre.
For oaks, the rotation period is often more than 150 years.
The word is made up of 'um' and 'Trieb' (from 'treiben', to drive/impel). It describes the idea of movement or activity that either takes place in secret ('umtreiben', to be up to something/to haunt) or represents a large amount of effort.
Die geheimen Umtriebe der Spione wurden aufgedeckt.
The secret machinations of the spies were uncovered.
The form of the noun gives a clue to the meaning. In the plural ('die Umtriebe'), it almost always refers to secret, negative activities. In the singular ('der Umtrieb'), it usually means a large, annoying amount of effort.
Die Polizei beobachtet die politischen Umtriebe der Gruppe.
The police are monitoring the group's political machinations.
In the meaning 'heimliche Machenschaften' (secret machinations), the word belongs to elevated written language. It is often found in journalistic or political texts.
Der Verfassungsschutz warnte vor den Umtrieben der extremistischen Organisation.
The domestic intelligence agency warned of the machinations of the extremist organization.
The meaning 'großer Aufwand' (great effort/a lot of hassle) is very common especially in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where it is often used colloquially.
Für die Party so einen Umtrieb zu machen, lohnt sich doch gar nicht.
It really isn't worth making such a fuss for the party.
When it is about effort or hassle, the word is often used in the phrase 'einen Umtrieb machen' (to make a fuss) or 'einen Umtrieb veranstalten' (to make/put on a fuss).
Warum veranstaltest du wegen einer kleinen Planänderung so einen Umtrieb?
Why are you making such a fuss over a small change of plan?
This meaning is a technical term from forestry. Outside this context, the word is practically never used this way.
Für schnell wachsende Fichten ist ein kurzer Umtrieb von etwa 80 Jahren üblich.
For fast-growing spruces, a short rotation period of about 80 years is common.
effort / trouble
Mühe and Umtrieb can both refer to a burdensome amount of effort. Mühe focuses on the personal effort involved in the task. Umtrieb refers more to a lot of troublesome or unnecessarily complicated activities, such as organizational arrangements and formalities.
Die Vorbereitung der großen Feier verursachte durch Genehmigungen und Terminabsprachen viel Umtrieb.
Because of the permits and scheduling arrangements, preparing the big celebration caused a lot of hassle.
Die Vorbereitung der großen Feier kostete uns viel Mühe.
Preparing the big celebration took a lot of effort.
