der Strick
rope
A thick, strong rope made of twisted fibers.
EXAMPLE
Er befestigte die Plane mit einem dicken Strick am Baum.
He fastened the tarp to the tree with a thick rope.
der Strick
rope / knitwear
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Meanings
wenn alle Stricke reißen
if all else fails
An idiom that means: if the worst situation occurs or there is no other option left.
EXAMPLE
Wenn alle Stricke reißen, können wir immer noch meine Eltern um Hilfe bitten.
If all else fails, we can still ask my parents for help.
der Strick
knitwear
A colloquial term for a knitted item of clothing, especially a cardigan or sweater.
EXAMPLE
Zieh dir einen warmen Strick über, es wird kühl heute Abend.
Put on some warm knitwear; it's going to get cool this evening.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Strick' (rope/knitwear) is related to the verb 'stricken' (to knit). This connection explains both main meanings: a rope made of twisted or "knitted" fibers, and a knitted item of clothing.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat mir einen Schal gestrickt.
She knitted me a scarf.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'wenn alle Stricke reißen' (if all else fails) introduces a subordinate clause. It describes an emergency plan or the last remaining option. The main clause follows after it.
EXAMPLE
Wenn alle Stricke reißen, kann ich mir immer noch Geld von meinem Bruder leihen.
If all else fails, I can still borrow money from my brother.
Colloquial use
The use of 'Strick' (knitwear) for an item of clothing like a cardigan or sweater is colloquial. You often hear it in everyday life, but in formal texts you would tend to avoid it.
EXAMPLE
Nimm dir einen Strick mit, es könnte später kalt werden.
Take some knitwear with you; it might get cold later.
Context clue
To distinguish the meanings, pay attention to the context. If it is about fastening, tying, or pulling, a rope is meant. If it is about clothing and warmth, a knitted item of clothing is meant.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du das Paket mit einem Strick zubinden?
Can you tie up the package with a rope?
Compare with
Strick vs Leine
leash / line
Leine and Strick can both be used to lead or tie up an animal. Leine names the specific guiding or restraining implement intended for this purpose. Strick, by contrast, generally refers to a thick, strong rope; its construction is more strongly foregrounded.
Strick
Im Stall bindet Lea die Ziege mit einem dicken Strick fest.
In the stable, Lea ties the goat up with a thick rope.
Leine
Auf dem Weg zur Weide führt Lea die Ziege an einer Leine.
On the way to the pasture, Lea leads the goat by a leash.
In real life
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