to entangle / implicate
Loading your saved state.
to get entangled in
To get oneself into a complicated, negative, or hopeless situation from which it is difficult to get out. This often refers to lies, contradictions, or criminal activities.
Der Zeuge hat sich während der Befragung in Widersprüche verstrickt.
During the questioning, the witness got entangled in contradictions.
to implicate someone in
To involve another person, intentionally or unintentionally, in a difficult or unpleasant matter.
Er versuchte, seine Kollegen in seine Intrigen zu verstricken.
He tried to implicate his colleagues in his intrigues.
to get tangled up
To become physically caught in something so that one can no longer move freely. This usually refers to threads, nets, or similar things.
Die Katze hat sich beim Spielen im Wollknäuel verstrickt.
The cat got tangled up in the ball of yarn while playing.
The verb is inseparable and is derived from the verb 'stricken' (to knit). The prefix 'ver-' here indicates that something goes wrong or that you get yourself into a negative situation—as if you were wrapping yourself up while knitting.
Er hat sich in seinen eigenen Lügen verstrickt.
He got entangled in his own lies.
'Verstricken' (to entangle; to implicate) is always used with the preposition 'in' followed by the accusative. This applies both to the reflexive form ('sich in etwas verstricken' — to get entangled in something) and when involving another person ('jemanden in etwas verstricken' — to implicate someone in something).
Sie hat sich in eine komplizierte Situation verstrickt.
She got entangled in a complicated situation.
In its figurative meaning, 'sich verstricken' (to get entangled) is often combined with abstract, negative things. Common phrases are 'sich in Lügen verstricken' (to get entangled in lies), 'sich in Widersprüche verstricken' (to get entangled in contradictions), or 'in illegale Geschäfte verstrickt sein' (to be involved in illegal business dealings).
Der Politiker verstrickte sich während des Interviews in Widersprüche.
The politician got entangled in contradictions during the interview.
You can tell whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended from the object after the preposition 'in'. If it is something physical like 'Netz' (net), 'Seil' (rope), or 'Wolle' (wool), the literal meaning is intended. With abstract terms such as 'Lügen' (lies) or 'Affäre' (affair), it is the figurative meaning.
Das Reh hatte sich im Zaun verstrickt.
The deer had got caught in the fence.
to involve / entangle
Both words can be used when someone gets into a difficult situation through their own statements. Sich verwickeln mainly describes contradictory statements, while sich verstricken emphasizes becoming increasingly entangled in a situation that is difficult to escape. For mere contradictions, verwickeln is the better fit; for an increasingly hopeless situation, verstricken is more appropriate.
Mit jeder Ausrede verstrickte er sich tiefer in seine Lügen.
With every excuse, he became more deeply entangled in his lies.
Mit jeder Nachfrage verwickelte er sich weiter in Widersprüche.
With every question, he contradicted himself more and more.
