der Griff
handle
The part of an object that is made for holding or operating it with your hand.
EXAMPLE
Der Griff der Kaffeetasse ist abgebrochen.
The handle of the coffee cup broke off.
der Griff
handle / grip
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Meanings
etwas im Griff haben
to have under control
To have a situation or task under control and be able to manage it.
EXAMPLE
Keine Sorge, die Projektleiterin hat alles fest im Griff.
Don't worry, the project manager has everything firmly under control.
der Griff
grip / grab
The act of grabbing or holding on to something.
EXAMPLE
Mit einem schnellen Griff fing er den fallenden Schlüssel.
With a quick grab, he caught the falling key.
etwas in den Griff bekommen
to get under control
To successfully bring a difficult situation or problem under control.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen unsere Ausgaben schnell wieder in den Griff bekommen.
We need to get our expenses back under control quickly.
der Griff
hold / grip
A specific technique or maneuver, especially in combat sports such as wrestling or judo.
EXAMPLE
Der Judoka setzte einen speziellen Griff an, um seinen Gegner zu Boden zu bringen.
The judoka applied a special hold to bring his opponent to the ground.
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Griff' is the noun related to the verb 'greifen' (to grab, to grasp). It describes either the act of grabbing itself or the part of an object that you grab.
EXAMPLE
Er konnte nach dem Seil greifen und sich festhalten.
He was able to grab the rope and hold on.
Two fixed expressions
There are two very similar expressions: 'etwas im Griff haben' (dative) describes a state of control. 'Etwas in den Griff bekommen' (accusative) describes the process of gaining control.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Managerin hat die Abteilung gut im Griff.
The new manager has the department well under control.
Typical collocations
As part of an object, 'Griff' is often connected with the object in the genitive or with 'von': 'der Griff der Tür' (the handle of the door), 'der Griff des Koffers' (the handle of the suitcase), or 'der Griff von einer Tasse' (the handle of a cup).
EXAMPLE
Der Griff von meinem Regenschirm ist locker.
The handle of my umbrella is loose.
Describing the action
When 'Griff' describes the act of grabbing, it is often preceded by an adjective that describes the type of movement, e.g. 'ein schneller Griff' (a quick grab), 'ein fester Griff' (a firm grip), or 'ein gezielter Griff' (a targeted grab).
EXAMPLE
Mit einem gezielten Griff holte sie das Buch aus dem Regal.
With one precise grab, she took the book from the shelf.
Context: sports
The meaning 'spezielle Technik' (special technique) is mainly used in combat sports such as judo, wrestling, or self-defense. People talk about 'einen Griff anzusetzen' (to apply a hold) or 'sich aus einem Griff zu befreien' (to free oneself from a hold).
EXAMPLE
Im Judokurs lernte sie, wie man sich aus einem festen Griff befreit.
In the judo course, she learned how to free herself from a firm hold.
Compare with
Griff vs Hand
hand
In der Hand haben and im Griff haben can both express control. In der Hand haben tends to emphasize power or decision-making authority. Im Griff haben tends to mean practically managing and mastering a situation or task. The fixed prepositions must not be switched.
Griff
Als Leiterin hat sie auch die schwierige Aufgabe gut im Griff.
As the manager, she also has the difficult task well under control.
Hand
Als Leiterin hat sie alle wichtigen Entscheidungen in der Hand.
As the manager, she has all the important decisions in her hands.
In real life
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