shovel
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shovel
A tool with a broad blade and a handle for picking up and moving loose material such as sand, snow, or soil. Synonym for 'Schaufel' (shovel).
Mit der Schippe befreite er den Gehweg vom Schnee.
He cleared the sidewalk of snow with the shovel.
to step it up
In a fixed expression meaning to increase effort, speed, or intensity.
Wenn wir das Projekt rechtzeitig abschließen wollen, müssen wir alle noch eine Schippe drauflegen.
If we want to finish the project on time, we all need to step it up.
The word 'Schippe' (shovel) is often used in connection with gardening or winter services. A typical activity is 'Schnee schippen' (to shovel snow), where 'schippen' functions as a verb.
Im Winter müssen wir jeden Morgen den Gehweg schippen.
In winter, we have to shovel the sidewalk every morning.
The expression 'eine Schippe drauflegen' means to increase one's performance or pace. The expression is fixed and is often used in sports or at work.
Die Mannschaft muss in der zweiten Halbzeit noch eine Schippe drauflegen, wenn sie gewinnen will.
The team needs to step it up in the second half if they want to win.
You can always recognize the figurative meaning by the verb 'drauflegen' (to add on top). Without this verb, 'Schippe' (shovel) refers to the tool.
Der Chef meinte, wir müssten beim neuen Projekt eine Schippe drauflegen.
The boss said we needed to step it up on the new project.
shovel / blade / spade
Schaufel and Schippe can both refer to the same tool for picking up and moving sand, snow, or soil. Schaufel is the neutral standard-language choice, whereas Schippe sounds more colloquial or regional. The difference here is therefore not the tool itself, but its usage in the language.
Zu Hause sagt die Kundin, dass sie noch eine Schippe für den Schnee braucht.
At home, the customer says that she still needs a shovel for the snow.
Im Geschäft fragt die Kundin nach einer Schaufel für den Schnee.
At the store, the customer asks for a shovel for the snow.
