die Schlappe
defeat / setback
A clear defeat, failure, or setback, often in a competition or conflict.
EXAMPLE
Die Partei musste bei der Wahl eine herbe Schlappe einstecken.
The party had to suffer a severe defeat in the election.
die Schlappe
defeat / slipper
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Meanings
die Schlappe
slipper
A simple, open house slipper or bathing sandal that you can easily slip into. Often used in the plural ('Schlappen').
EXAMPLE
Ich finde meine linke Schlappe nicht.
I can't find my left slipper.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Schlappe' is related to the adjective 'schlapp' (weak, tired). A defeat ('Schlappe') makes you 'schlapp', and a house slipper ('Schlappe') is a 'schlapper' shoe, meaning a soft and shapeless shoe.
EXAMPLE
Nach dieser herben Schlappe fühlte sich die ganze Mannschaft schlapp.
After this severe defeat, the whole team felt weak.
Context clues
You can easily recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about competition, sports, or politics, a defeat is meant. If it is about clothing, feet, or the home, the shoe is meant, which is often used in the plural ('Schlappen').
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung erlitt eine schwere Schlappe bei der Abstimmung.
The government suffered a serious defeat in the vote.
Typical collocations
For the meaning 'Niederlage' (defeat), there are fixed verb combinations such as 'eine Schlappe einstecken' (to suffer a defeat), 'eine Schlappe erleiden' (to suffer a defeat), or 'eine Schlappe kassieren' (to take a defeat). It is often accompanied by adjectives like 'herb' (severe), 'bitter' (bitter), or 'deutlich' (clear).
EXAMPLE
Der Favorit musste im Finale eine unerwartete Schlappe einstecken.
The favorite had to suffer an unexpected defeat in the final.
Compare with
Schlappe vs Niederlage
defeat
Niederlage neutrally describes the fact that a game or duel was lost. Schlappe sounds more colloquial and usually presents the result as clear or embarrassing. Niederlage fits a factual report; Schlappe fits an emphatic assessment of a clear defeat.
Schlappe
Die Fans nannten das peinliche 0:5 eine schwere Schlappe.
The fans called the embarrassing 5–0 loss a heavy defeat.
Niederlage
Der Trainer sprach nach dem knappen 1:2 sachlich von einer Niederlage.
After the narrow 2–1 loss, the coach neutrally referred to it as a defeat.
In real life
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