die Reißleine
ripcord
A cord or line that you pull to trigger a mechanism, especially to open a parachute.
EXAMPLE
Der Fallschirmspringer zog im richtigen Moment die Reißleine.
The skydiver pulled the ripcord at the right moment.
die Reißleine
ripcord
die Reißleine, die Reißleinen
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Meanings
die Reißleine ziehen
to pull the ripcord
To end or cancel a measure before greater damage occurs. The expression is usually used figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Als die Kosten weiter stiegen, zog die Projektleitung die Reißleine.
When the costs continued to rise, the project management pulled the ripcord.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Reißleine, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Reißleinen |
| genitive | der Reißleine |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Reißleine | die Reißleinen |
| accusative | die Reißleine | die Reißleinen |
| dative | der Reißleine | den Reißleinen |
| genitive | der Reißleine | der Reißleinen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Reißleine' is made up of 'reißen' (to pull / tear) and 'Leine' (line). It refers to a line that you pull to trigger a mechanism.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Absprung überprüfte der Fallschirmspringer noch einmal die Reißleine.
Before the jump, the skydiver checked the ripcord once again.
Typical collocation
In its literal meaning, 'Reißleine' frequently occurs with 'ziehen' (to pull): 'an der Reißleine ziehen' (to pull the ripcord) to trigger the mechanism.
EXAMPLE
Im Kurs lernte die Schülerin, wann man an der Reißleine ziehen muss.
During the course, the student learned when she had to pull the ripcord.
Fixed expression
'Die Reißleine ziehen' (to pull the ripcord) is a fixed figurative expression. It is often used when a person or institution ends a risky project to prevent further problems.
EXAMPLE
Wegen der unklaren Finanzierung zog der Veranstalter die Reißleine und sagte das Festival ab.
Because of the unclear financing, the organizer pulled the ripcord and canceled the festival.
In real life
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