andrehen

Meaning (English):

1. to turn on / to switch on (by turning a knob or dial)
   e.g., die Heizung andrehen = to turn the heating on (turn it up/on)

2. to screw on / to fasten by turning (tightening by rotating)
   e.g., eine Schraube andrehen = to screw a screw in / tighten it

3. (informal) to foist something on someone / to con someone into buying or accepting something
   e.g., jemandem etwas andrehen = to push something onto someone (often unwanted), to sell something by persuasion or trickery

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Word parts

• an- = towards, on, attached (a prefix often implying “on” or “onto”)
• drehen = to turn, rotate

So andrehen literally suggests “to turn on/onto” or “to turn (something) towards/onto something.”

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German synonyms

Depending on meaning:

1. Switch/turn on (by turning):

• aufdrehen (often “turn up/open” e.g., volume, tap)
• einschalten (general “switch on”)
• anmachen (informal “turn on”)

2. Screw/fasten:

• anschrauben
• festdrehen
• zudrehen (often “tighten/close by turning”)

3. Foist on / talk into:

• aufschwatzen
• unterjubeln
• andienen (more formal)
• jemandem etwas verkaufen (neutral; context decides)

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German antonyms

1. Switch/turn on:

• abdrehen (turn off by turning)
• ausschalten (switch off)
• zudrehen (close, e.g., tap)

2. Screw/fasten:

• abschrauben (unscrew)
• losdrehen (loosen)

3. Foist on:

• jemandem etwas ausreden (talk someone out of it)
• ablehnen (to refuse; not a direct antonym but opposite action in context)