sich den Kopf zerbrechen

to think very hard about a complex problem

Türkçe: bir sorun üzerine kafa yormak

Noun

Kopf m.

Verb

zerbrechen

Topic

Körper und Gesundheit

In a sentence

Der Mechaniker zerbrach sich den Kopf über den seltsamen Motorengeräusch.

How it is used

Means to think very hard about a complex problem. Neutral register. Used when puzzling over a riddle or a work issue. Nuance: implies frustration or mental strain, not casual thinking.

Other verbs that go with Kopf

This is the choice the collocation turns on.

• alles auf den Kopf stellento turn everything upside down
• den Kopf einziehento withdraw/retreat
• den Kopf hinhaltento take the blame/responsibility
• den Kopf riskierento risk one's head/life/career
• den Kopf verlierento lose one's head
• kühlen Kopf bewahrento keep a cool head
• jdm. den Kopf waschento give someone a scolding/reprimand
• jds. Kopf fordernto demand someone's head

All collocations with Kopf