das Schlupfloch
loophole
A way to get around a rule, law, or obligation without directly violating it.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma suchte ein Schlupfloch im Gesetz, um Steuern zu sparen.
The company looked for a loophole in the law to save on taxes.
das Schlupfloch
loophole / opening
das Schlupfloch, die Schlupflöcher
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Meanings
das Schlupfloch
opening
A small opening through which a person or animal can squeeze or escape from an enclosed area.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze fand ein Schlupfloch im Zaun und lief davon.
The cat found an opening in the fence and ran away.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Schlupfloch, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Schlupflöcher |
| genitive | des Schlupflochs |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Schlupfloch | die Schlupflöcher |
| accusative | das Schlupfloch | die Schlupflöcher |
| dative | dem Schlupfloch | den Schlupflöchern |
| genitive | des Schlupflochs des Schlupfloches | der Schlupflöcher |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Schlupfloch' (loophole / opening) is made up of 'Schlupf' and 'Loch' (hole). 'Schlupf' is related to 'schlüpfen' (to slip through) and here refers to an opening that you can slip through; the figurative meaning developed from this.
EXAMPLE
Hinter dem Schrank entdeckte das Kind ein kleines Schlupfloch in der Wand.
Behind the cupboard, the child discovered a small opening in the wall.
Typical collocations
In its figurative sense, 'Schlupfloch' (loophole) often appears with 'im Gesetz' (in the law), 'in den Vorschriften' (in the regulations), or 'im Vertrag' (in the contract). Typical collocations are 'ein Schlupfloch finden' (to find a loophole), 'ein Schlupfloch nutzen' (to use a loophole), and 'ein Schlupfloch schließen' (to close a loophole).
EXAMPLE
Die neuen Vorschriften sollen verhindern, dass Unternehmen ein Schlupfloch im Vertrag nutzen.
The new regulations are intended to prevent companies from using a loophole in the contract.
Context clue
You can usually recognize the literal meaning from words relating to fences, cages, or walls, as well as verbs of movement such as 'hindurchschlüpfen' (to slip through) and 'entkommen' (to escape). When the context involves laws, rules, or contracts, the meaning is figurative.
EXAMPLE
Das Kaninchen zwängte sich durch ein Schlupfloch unter dem Gitter.
The rabbit squeezed through an opening under the grating.
In real life
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