secret weapon
die Geheimwaffe, die Geheimwaffen
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secret weapon
A weapon or means that someone keeps secret and plans to use at a decisive moment in order to gain an advantage.
Der Trainer glaubt, dass der neue Stürmer die Geheimwaffe der Mannschaft sein kann.
The coach believes that the new striker could be the team’s secret weapon.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Geheimwaffen |
| genitive | der Geheimwaffe |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Geheimwaffe | die Geheimwaffen |
| accusative | die Geheimwaffe | die Geheimwaffen |
| dative | der Geheimwaffe | den Geheimwaffen |
| genitive | der Geheimwaffe | der Geheimwaffen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Geheimwaffe' is made up of 'geheim' (secret) and 'Waffe' (weapon). The word can therefore refer both to a real hidden weapon and to a means or special person kept secret.
Die Wissenschaftlerin gilt als Geheimwaffe des Forschungsteams.
The scientist is considered the research team's secret weapon.
Common combinations include 'eine Geheimwaffe haben' (to have a secret weapon), 'eine Geheimwaffe einsetzen' (to deploy a secret weapon), and 'sich als Geheimwaffe erweisen' (to prove to be a secret weapon). The word is often used with verbs related to planning and taking action, especially in strategic situations.
Im letzten Spiel setzte der Trainer seine Geheimwaffe erst in der zweiten Halbzeit ein.
In the last game, the coach did not deploy his secret weapon until the second half.
'Geheimwaffe' is very often used figuratively in sports, politics, advertising, or business strategies. Signal words such as 'Team' (team), 'Kampagne' (campaign), or 'Plan' (plan) usually show that no real weapon is meant.
Die neue Software soll die Geheimwaffe des Unternehmens im internationalen Wettbewerb sein.
The new software is supposed to be the company's secret weapon in international competition.
