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abstürzen (psychisch/im Leben)

English translation: losing it/losing his grip

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:abstürzen (psychisch/im Leben)
English translation:losing it/losing his grip
Entered by: Bettina Rittsteuer

09:08 Aug 20, 2014
German to English translations [Non-PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
German term or phrase: abstürzen (psychisch/im Leben)
Aus einer Ehescheidungsklage, in der die Frau dem Mann die Schuld an der Zerrüttung der Ehe gibt und unter anderem seinen ständig steigenden Alkoholkonsum erwähnt. Zusammenfassend meint sie: "Ich habe das Gefühl, dass er ***abstürzt***."

Wie kann man das treffend auf Englisch sagen?
Danke für alle Hinweise!
Bettina Rittsteuer
Austria
Local time: 00:42
losing it/losing his grip
Explanation:
OR (I've had tons of experience with this one ;-))

taking a dive
cracking up
going to pieces
come apart at the seams
gone off the deep end
having a breakdown
is severely depressed
has lost control

and many, many more
Selected response from:

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 00:42
Grading comment
Danke für alle Antworten!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3losing it/losing his grip
Ramey Rieger (X)
3 +1falling apart/going through a meltdown
Michael Martin, MA
3plunging into an abyss
Lancashireman


  

Answers


16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
falling apart/going through a meltdown


Explanation:
These options might work. Lots of others, too, of course.


    Reference: http://livingontheedge.org/christian-living/where-do-i-find-...
Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 18:42
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 63

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  BrigitteHilgner: I'm not so keen on the meltdown but agree with "falling apart".
1 hr
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58 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
plunging into an abyss


Explanation:
To retain the idea of downward motion inherent in 'abstürzen':

Coming Out of the Dark by John D. Loscher
There s a time and a place for everything, and it is called college For one typical college student these words would prove darkly prophetic. Scott Langer, finds himself slowly sinking into a nightmarish world of depression, binge drinking, broken friendships, and casual sex. Only after plunging into an abyss of despair so deep that his own life hangs in the balance will he encounter Natasha, a girl with dark secrets of her own. Together, they will embark on a private odyssey that will become their own personal redemption. For only together, can they ever hope to be, Coming Out of the Dark
http://www.fictiondb.com/author/john-d-loscher~coming-out-of...

Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:42
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 160

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Michael Martin, MA: Nice idea but 'abstürzen' is a bit more informal than that..
12 mins
  -> Lucky I didn't include 'the slough of despond', then.
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
losing it/losing his grip


Explanation:
OR (I've had tons of experience with this one ;-))

taking a dive
cracking up
going to pieces
come apart at the seams
gone off the deep end
having a breakdown
is severely depressed
has lost control

and many, many more


Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 00:42
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 70
Grading comment
Danke für alle Antworten!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  BrigitteHilgner: "going to pieces" was my spontaneous idea, I wouldn't use "severely depressed" (too clinical, in my opinion), but I'll go along with all the other suggestions.
18 mins
  -> Thanks Brigitte, threw that in for the intellectuals!
agree  franglish
47 mins
  -> Thanks Franglish, hope you're not in the middle on one of the above!
agree  Horst Huber (X): "Out of control" would be my choice. Beyond the person's ability to intervene.
6 hrs
  -> Are you speaking from experience Horst? : -)
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