German word

abgehen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapˌgeːən/

Meaning

  • verbgo wild

Example

Auf der Party geht es richtig ab.

The party is really going wild.

Illustration for abgehen (go wild)

More examples

Am Ende des Sets geht das Publikum ab.

At the end of the set, the audience goes wild.

Core concept

Something moves away from its starting point and breaks into lively motion, from a departing object to a party suddenly bursting with energy.

Common phrases

  • es geht ab

    It goes wild

  • geht richtig ab

    It really goes wild

Similar words

feiern: Celebrating together in a lively and enjoyable way.
Party machen: Holding a lively party for shared fun and enjoyment.
sich amüsieren: Spending time in a carefree and enjoyable way.

Definition in German

(vor allem bei Parties) voller Aktion und Stimmung sein; wörtlich auch 'weggehen' oder 'sich lösen'.

Word origin

Abgehen combines the separable prefix ab- meaning away or off with gehen meaning go, and this movement sense extended to coming loose, selling quickly, and colloquial excitement.

Usage tips

  • In the party expression "es geht ab", abgehen is separable: "Auf der Party geht es ab" but "Auf der Party ist es abgegangen" in the perfect tense.

Other meanings

  • leaveverb
  • come offverb
  • sellverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Abgehengoing wildnoun
  • der Abgangdeparturenoun

Word lists with this word