JadoLearn

One focused step in language learning, every day

Preparing your learning path…

JadoLearn

A language learning platform for English and German with guided paths, Leitner review, and daily practice.

Made withlovefor language learners

Unwesen treiben: to wreak havoc — meaning and examples | JadoLearn

DictionaryUnwesen treiben

Quality-approved learning entryVerbLevel C1

Unwesen treiben

to wreak havoc

to cause repeated trouble, damage, fear, or disorder in a place or context

IPA/ˈʊnˌveːzn̩ ˈtʁaɪ̯bn̩/

Both lexical words carry stress; Un- and trei- are prominent.

Meaning 1neutral · 90%

to cause repeated trouble, damage, fear, or disorder in a place or context

Die Schadsoftware trieb wochenlang in schlecht gesicherten Netzwerken Unwesen.

Unbekannte trieben nachts im Park Unwesen und beschädigten mehrere Bänke.

Ein eingeschleppter Schädling treibt inzwischen in mehreren Weinbergen Unwesen.

This is a fixed idiom: Unwesen does not function here as an ordinary object with a literal meaning.

— to cause trouble in an area

in einer Gegend Unwesen treiben

Die Hacker machten Unwesen im Netzwerk.

Die Hacker trieben im Netzwerk Unwesen.

The idiom uses treiben, not machen.

Treat Unwesen treiben as a fixed expression meaning to cause repeated trouble or damage, often with a place phrase.

Choose one answer.

Which fixed expression is correct?

This is a fixed idiom: Unwesen does not function here as an ordinary object with a literal meaning.