der Knüppel
club
A thick, short stick that can be used as a weapon, tool, or support.
EXAMPLE
Der Wanderer benutzte einen dicken Knüppel als Gehstock.
The hiker used a thick club as a walking stick.
der Knüppel
club
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Meanings
jemandem Knüppel zwischen die Beine werfen
to put obstacles in someone's way
An idiom that means to deliberately hinder someone or cause them difficulties.
EXAMPLE
Die übermäßige Bürokratie wirft innovativen Unternehmen oft Knüppel zwischen die Beine.
Excessive bureaucracy often puts obstacles in the way of innovative companies.
Usage tips
Context clue
To distinguish the two meanings, pay attention to the sentence structure. If 'Knüppel' (club) stands on its own, it usually means the stick. If it is part of the expression 'jemandem Knüppel zwischen die Beine werfen' (to put obstacles in someone's way), it is the idiom.
EXAMPLE
Der Polizist trug einen Knüppel am Gürtel.
The police officer wore a club on his belt.
Sentence structure of the idiom
In the idiom 'jemandem Knüppel zwischen die Beine werfen' (to put obstacles in someone's way), the person being hindered is always in the dative. The verb 'werfen' (to throw) is conjugated normally.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Regelung wirft kleinen Betrieben nur Knüppel zwischen die Beine.
The new regulation only puts obstacles in the way of small businesses.
Register and connotation
The word 'Knüppel' (club) for a stick often has a negative or aggressive connotation. It usually refers to a thick, rough stick that can serve as a weapon.
EXAMPLE
Eine Gruppe von Schlägern war mit Knüppeln bewaffnet.
A group of thugs was armed with clubs.
Compare with
Knüppel vs Prügel
beating / club
Prügel and Knüppel can both refer to a thick stick. Prügel is rare in this meaning and often sounds old-fashioned; Knüppel is the more common and neutral term for a short, thick stick that can be used as a weapon or tool, for example.
Knüppel
Im aktuellen Bericht trug der Angreifer einen schweren Knüppel.
In the current report, the attacker was carrying a heavy club.
Prügel
In der alten Erzählung trug der Räuber einen schweren Prügel.
In the old tale, the robber carried a heavy club.
In real life
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