octopus
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octopus
A soft-bodied animal that lives in the sea, has eight arms (tentacles), and belongs to the group of cephalopods. Octopuses are known for their intelligence and their ability to camouflage themselves.
Im Aquarium konnten wir beobachten, wie eine Krake ihr Versteck wechselte.
At the aquarium, we were able to watch an octopus change its hiding place.
octopus
A metaphor for a large, powerful organization or system with far-reaching influence that is perceived as uncontrollable and often negative, stretching its 'tentacles' everywhere.
Manche Kritiker bezeichnen den globalen Konzern wegen seiner Marktmacht als Krake.
Some critics describe the global corporation as an octopus because of its market power.
You can easily recognize the meaning of the word from the context. If people are talking about the sea, animals, or biology, the animal is meant. If it is about business, politics, or large, powerful companies, the negative metaphor is meant.
Die Krake breitete ihre acht Arme aus.
The octopus spread out its eight arms.
The metaphor of the octopus is used because the animal has many arms (tentacles) that reach in all directions. This symbolizes the far-reaching influence of an organization on many areas, often perceived as negative.
Die Bürokratie streckt ihre Tentakel wie eine Krake in alle Lebensbereiche.
The bureaucracy stretches its tentacles into every area of life like an octopus.
In a figurative sense, 'Krake' (octopus) is almost always used negatively and critically. It describes a power that is perceived as greedy, uncontrollable, and oppressive.
Der Mafia-Clan war eine Krake, die die ganze Stadt im Griff hatte.
The mafia clan was an octopus that had the whole city in its grip.
