einschlagen

Core meaning: to strike/hit something (often with force); and by extension several common idiomatic meanings.

1) to hit/strike; to hammer in; to smash in

• Meaning: to strike something so that it goes into something else or gets damaged (e.g., nails, windows).
• Examples of typical uses:
  • einen Nagel einschlagen = to hammer in a nail
  • eine Scheibe einschlagen = to smash a windowpane

Parts:

• ein- = “in/into”
• schlagen = “to strike/hit”
  So einschlagen literally suggests “to strike into.”

German synonyms (depending on context):

• hineinschlagen (to strike in)
• eintreiben (to drive in, e.g., a nail)
• zerbrechen / zerschlagen (to smash, break)
• einwerfen (to break a window by throwing something, context-specific)

German antonyms (contextual):

• herausziehen (to pull out, e.g., a nail)
• reparieren (to repair)
• aufbauen (to build up)

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2) to take a direction / to turn onto a path

• Meaning: to choose or enter a particular route or course.
• Typical use: einen Weg einschlagen = to take/choose a path; eine Richtung einschlagen = to head in a direction.

German synonyms:

• einen Weg wählen (to choose a path)
• abbiegen (to turn off)
• eine Richtung nehmen (to take a direction)

German antonyms:

• umkehren (to turn back)
• zurückgehen (to go back)

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3) (figurative) to start/embark on a course or approach

• Meaning: to adopt a certain policy, method, or life course.
• Typical use: einen Kurs einschlagen / einen neuen Weg einschlagen = to take a new course/approach.

German synonyms:

• beginnen (to begin)
• einschwenken auf (to align with, to switch to a line/course)
• verfolgen (to pursue, e.g., a strategy)

German antonyms:

• aufgeben (to give up)
• abweichen von (to deviate from)

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4) to break in (a door) / to force entry (context-dependent)

• Meaning: to smash something (often a door) to get in.
• Typical phrasing: die Tür einschlagen = to break the door in.

German synonyms:

• aufbrechen (to break open)
• eintreten (to kick in)

German antonyms:

• abschließen (to lock)
• verschließen (to close securely)

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5) to “come in” (weather-related, especially lightning)

• Meaning: to strike (as in lightning striking).
• Typical use: Der Blitz schlug ein. (“The lightning struck.”)

German synonyms:

• einschlagen is standard here; also treffen (to hit) in broader phrasing.

German antonyms:

• Not really idiomatic as a direct opposite.

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Grammar notes

• Separable verb: schlagen … ein in many uses (e.g., Ich schlage den Nagel ein.)
• Past participle: eingeschlagen
• Simple past: schlug ein