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schröpfen

to cup (cupping therapy)

verb SHROEP-fen Rare
Body & Health Personal Care

Also means

to fleece (overcharge someone)

Usage Note

schröpfen in its medical sense refers to the traditional therapy of cupping (Schröpfkopfbehandlung) in which heated cups create suction on the skin. Still practised in German alternative medicine. The colloquial sense of overcharging is equally common.

Examples

"Die Heilpraktikerin schröpft ihn wöchentlich am Rücken."

Natural Translation

The alternative practitioner cups his back every week.

Literal Translation

The naturopath cups him weekly at the back.

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