ausrasten
freak out
Die Kontrolle über die eigenen Gefühle verlieren und sehr laut oder wütend werden.
Definition & meaning
The word "ausrasten" has two primary meanings depending on the context:
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Emotional/Colloquial: To lose one's self-control, to flip out, or to go crazy. It describes a sudden and intense emotional outburst, usually driven by anger, frustration, or overwhelming excitement. When someone "ausrastet," they might scream, act violently, or behave in an uncontrolled manner.
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Technical/Mechanical: To disengage or snap out of a catch or a locked position. This refers to mechanical parts like levers, bolts, or gears that are released from a notch (the "Raste") that was holding them in place.
Grammar & Word origin
"Ausrasten" is a separable verb (trennbares Verb). In a main clause, the prefix "aus" moves to the end of the sentence (e.g., "Er rastet gleich aus").
The word consists of the prefix "aus" (out/away) and the verb "rasten" (to rest or to lock). The origin is purely mechanical. It comes from the noun "die Raste," which is a notch or indentation used to hold a moving part in a fixed position. When a part moves out of this notch, it "ausrastet." Over time, this mechanical term was adopted into everyday language as a metaphor for a person losing their mental or emotional "grip" or "lock."
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms: durchdrehen, ausflippen, explodieren, die Beherrschung verlieren, durchknallen.
Antonyms: sich beruhigen, die Fassung bewahren, cool bleiben, sich entspannen.
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Examples
Manchmal rastet mein Bruder aus.verb
Sometimes my brother freaks out.
Warum rastete der Trainer gestern so aus?verb
Why did the coach freak out like that yesterday?
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