zappeln

v/i thrash about; sich wehrend: auch struggle; sich windend: wriggle; vor Unruhe: jiggle around, fidget; an der Angel / im Netz zappeln Fisch: thrash about on the end of the line / in the net; hör auf zu zappeln! sit (oder lie, stand etc.) still, will you; jemanden zappeln lassen fig. keep s.o. on tenterhooks

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to writhe; to fidget; to flounder

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zạp|peln ['tsapln]

vi

to wriggle; (Hampelmann) to jiggle; (= unruhig sein) to fidget

er zappelte mit Armen und Beinen — he was all of a fidget (Brit), he couldn't sit still

jdn zappeln lassen (fig inf) — to keep sb in suspense

in der Schlinge zappeln (fig) — to be caught in the net

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1) (to move one's legs and arms violently and with difficulty (in water, mud etc): She floundered helplessly in the mud.) flounder

2) (to twist violently when trying to free oneself: The child struggled in his arms.) struggle

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zap·peln

[ˈtsapl̩n]

vi to wriggle

▪ [mit etw dat] \zappeln to fidget [with sth]

an der Angel/im Netz \zappeln to wriggle on the fishing rod/in the net

▶ jdn \zappeln lassen (fam) to keep sb in suspense

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intransitives Verb wriggle; <child> fidget

mit den Beinen/Armen zappeln — wave one's legs/arms about

jemanden zappeln lassen — (fig. ugs.) keep somebody on tenterhooks

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zappeln v/i thrash about; sich wehrend: auch struggle; sich windend: wriggle; vor Unruhe: jiggle around, fidget;

an der Angel/im Netz zappeln Fisch: thrash about on the end of the line/in the net;

hör auf zu zappeln! sit (oder lie, stand etc) still, will you;

jemanden zappeln lassen fig keep sb on tenterhooks

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intransitives Verb wriggle; <child> fidget

mit den Beinen/Armen zappeln — wave one's legs/arms about

jemanden zappeln lassen — (fig. ugs.) keep somebody on tenterhooks

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v.

to flounce v.

to flounder v.