ausquetschen

Ausquetschen is a German verb meaning to squeeze out liquid or moisture from something by pressing or twisting. It can also be used figuratively to describe extracting the maximum possible value, information, or concessions from a person, resource, or situation. The action is typically physical, but the term is also common in discussions of efficiency and negotiations.

Etymology and form: Ausquetschen is formed from the prefix aus- (out, to completion) and the verb quetschen (to squeeze or crush). It is a separable verb, so in present tense forms the prefix often moves to the end (ich quetsche aus, du quetschst aus, er quetscht aus). The past participle is ausgequetscht and is used with haben (Ich habe das Handtuch ausgequetscht).

Literal usage: In everyday language, ausquetschen describes wringing out wet fabrics such as towels or cloth after washing, or squeezing moisture from a sponge or vegetables. While you can attempt to extract juice from various foods, for citrus fruits the more common verb is auspressen; ausquetschen emphasizes removing as much moisture as possible.

Figurative usage: In a non-literal sense, ausquetschen denotes exhausting a resource or pressuring someone for information, money, or concessions. Phrases such as einen Verhandlungspartner ausquetschen or den letzten Tropfen ausquetschen appear in business or political contexts to convey thorough extraction or coercive persistence.

Related terms: Auspressen is closely related and often used for squeezing juice from fruit. Quetschen and similar verbs describe squeezing or pressing in more general terms, while ausquetschen carries the nuance of thorough extraction, whether tangible or intangible.