die Klinge
blade
The sharp, cutting part of a tool or weapon, for example a knife, sword, or razor.
EXAMPLE
Die Klinge dieses Küchenmessers ist extrem scharf.
The blade of this kitchen knife is extremely sharp.
die Klinge
blade
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
über die Klinge springen lassen
to sacrifice
An idiom meaning to kill or ruin someone, or to let a plan fail. Originally, it referred to an execution with a sword.
EXAMPLE
Wegen der Budgetkürzungen mussten sie viele geplante Projekte über die Klinge springen lassen.
Because of the budget cuts, they had to sacrifice many planned projects.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
The 'Klinge' (blade) is often described with the adjectives 'scharf' (sharp) or 'stumpf' (dull). Typical verbs are 'die Klinge schärfen' (to sharpen the blade) or 'die Klinge wechseln' (to change the blade), for example with a razor.
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, die Klinge des neuen Messers ist sehr scharf.
Careful, the blade of the new knife is very sharp.
Sentence structure of the idiom
The idiom 'über die Klinge springen lassen' (to sacrifice, to let something be cut down) always needs an accusative object. This object is the person or thing that is sacrificed or ruined.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma musste wegen der Krise einige Mitarbeiter über die Klinge springen lassen.
Because of the crisis, the company had to sacrifice some employees.
Context clue
The literal meaning of 'Klinge' (blade) usually refers to concrete tools such as knives, scissors, or swords. The figurative meaning occurs almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'über die Klinge springen lassen' (to sacrifice, to ruin).
EXAMPLE
Die Klinge der Gartenschere ist voller Harz.
The blade of the pruning shears is covered in resin.
Compare with
Klinge vs Scheide
sheath / vagina
When talking about a sword, both words belong to the same context but refer to different parts. The „Klinge“ is the sharp, cutting part of the weapon. The „Scheide“ is the cover in which the blade is kept. Use Klinge or Scheide depending on which part you mean.
Klinge
Die Klinge des Schwertes glänzte im Licht.
The sword’s blade gleamed in the light.
Scheide
Der Ritter steckte das Schwert vorsichtig in die Scheide.
The knight carefully put the sword into its sheath.
In real life
Loading video examples...