Also means
acute lower back pain
Usage Note
Hexenschuss is a colloquial but widely used German term for a sudden, sharp episode of lower back pain (Lendenschmerz), often caused by a muscle spasm. The medical term is Lumbago. The word literally means 'witch shot', evoking the sudden, stabbing sensation.
Examples
"Beim Heben des schweren Kartons hat er sich einen Hexenschuss zugezogen."
Natural Translation
When lifting the heavy box he gave himself a bout of lumbago.
Literal Translation
When lifting the heavy box has he himself a lumbago pulled in.
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