shotgun
die Flinte, die Flinten
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shotgun
A long gun with a smooth barrel, typically used for hunting birds or small game and firing shot ammunition.
Der Jäger legte die Flinte an, um auf die Fasane zu zielen.
The hunter raised the shotgun to aim at the pheasants.
to throw in the towel
An idiom meaning to give up, lose courage, or consider a plan to have failed.
Obwohl es schwierig wurde, hat sie nicht die Flinte ins Korn geworfen und weitergekämpft.
Although things got difficult, she didn't throw in the towel and kept fighting.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Flinten |
| genitive | der Flinte |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Flinte | die Flinten |
| accusative | die Flinte | die Flinten |
| dative | der Flinte | den Flinten |
| genitive | der Flinte | der Flinten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The meaning depends heavily on the context. The fixed expression 'ins Korn werfen' (to throw into the grain) always signals the figurative meaning 'aufgeben' (to give up). In other contexts, especially with verbs like 'jagen' (to hunt), 'schießen' (to shoot), or 'tragen' (to carry), it refers to the weapon.
Nach dem dritten Fehlversuch wollte er die Flinte ins Korn werfen.
After the third failed attempt, he wanted to throw in the towel.
Der Jäger trägt seine Flinte über der Schulter.
The hunter carries his shotgun over his shoulder.
When 'Flinte' (shotgun) refers to the weapon, it is often used with verbs like 'laden' (to load), 'schultern' (to shoulder/carry on the shoulder), or 'anlegen' (to raise into position for aiming).
Bevor er in den Wald ging, lud der Jäger seine Flinte.
Before he went into the forest, the hunter loaded his shotgun.
The idiom 'die Flinte ins Korn werfen' (to throw in the towel) is a fixed unit. The verb is 'werfen' (to throw), and 'die Flinte' (the shotgun) is always the accusative object in it.
Gib nicht sofort die Flinte ins Korn, nur weil es einmal nicht geklappt hat!
Don't throw in the towel right away just because it didn't work out once!
rifle
Gewehr is the general term for a long firearm fired from the shoulder. Flinte more specifically refers to a long gun with a smooth barrel that typically fires shot. Without further details, Gewehr is appropriate; for this particular hunting weapon, Flinte is the right term.
Für die Vogeljagd nimmt sie eine Flinte mit Schrotmunition aus dem Schrank.
She takes a shotgun loaded with shot from the cabinet for hunting birds.
Für die Jagd nimmt sie ein Gewehr aus dem Schrank.
She takes a rifle from the cabinet for the hunt.
