leverage / pressure tactic
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leverage / pressure tactic
A means or action used to force a person or group to do or refrain from doing something specific. It is used to apply targeted pressure in order to achieve a goal.
Die Gewerkschaft nutzte den Streik als Druckmittel in den Tarifverhandlungen.
The union used the strike as leverage in the collective bargaining negotiations.
The word is made up of 'Druck' (pressure) and 'Mittel' (means/tool). So it literally describes a means or tool with which you apply pressure to someone.
Die Enthüllungen dienten der Presse als Druckmittel gegen den Politiker.
The revelations served the press as leverage against the politician.
'Druckmittel' (leverage/pressure tactic) is often combined with verbs such as 'einsetzen' (to deploy/use), 'benutzen' (to use), 'anwenden' (to apply), or 'haben' (to have).
Er hatte kein Druckmittel, um seine Forderungen durchzusetzen.
He had no leverage to enforce his demands.
The construction 'etwas als Druckmittel benutzen' (to use something as leverage/a pressure tactic) is often used to describe which lever is being applied.
Sie benutzte die Information als Druckmittel, um eine Gehaltserhöhung zu bekommen.
She used the information as leverage to get a raise.
weapon
Both Waffe and Druckmittel can refer to a means of achieving a goal. Druckmittel emphasizes that someone is deliberately being forced to behave in a particular way. Waffe, by contrast, presents the means metaphorically as part of a combative confrontation.
Die Regierung setzt die Handelssanktionen als Druckmittel für neue Verhandlungen ein.
The government is using the trade sanctions as leverage to secure new negotiations.
Die Regierung setzt die Handelssanktionen als Waffe im politischen Konflikt ein.
The government is using the trade sanctions as a weapon in the political conflict.
