die Strippe
string
Informal: a thin cord used to fasten or tie things together.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe das Päckchen mit einer Strippe zugebunden.
I tied the parcel shut with a piece of string.
die Strippe
string / cable
die Strippe, die Strippen
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Meanings
die Strippe
cable
Informal: an electrical cable or telephone line.
EXAMPLE
Hinter dem Schreibtisch liegen jede Menge Strippen für den Computer und die Lautsprecher.
There are loads of cables for the computer and speakers behind the desk.
an der Strippe hängen
to be on the phone
Informal: to talk on the phone, especially for a long time.
EXAMPLE
Sie hängt schon seit einer Stunde an der Strippe und telefoniert mit ihrer Schwester.
She's been on the phone to her sister for an hour already.
jemanden an der Strippe haben
to have someone on the line
Informal: to be connected to a particular person by phone.
EXAMPLE
Nach mehreren Versuchen hatte ich endlich die zuständige Mitarbeiterin an der Strippe.
After several attempts, I finally had the staff member responsible on the line.
die Strippen ziehen
to pull the strings
To exert influence behind the scenes, steering decisions or events without appearing publicly yourself.
EXAMPLE
Obwohl er kein offizielles Amt mehr hat, zieht er in der Partei weiterhin die Strippen.
Although he no longer holds an official position, he still pulls the strings in the party.
die Strippen in der Hand halten
to be in control
To have decisive control over an organization or a process.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschäftsführerin hält bei allen wichtigen Projekten die Strippen in der Hand.
The managing director is in control of all the important projects.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Strippe, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Strippen |
| genitive | der Strippe |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Strippe | die Strippen |
| accusative | die Strippe | die Strippen |
| dative | der Strippe | den Strippen |
| genitive | der Strippe | der Strippen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
When it means string, 'Strippe' (string) often appears in a prepositional phrase with 'mit' (with) to indicate what is used to fasten something. Typical verbs used with it are 'festbinden' (to tie securely) and 'zusammenbinden' (to tie together).
EXAMPLE
Mit einer Strippe band er die Plane am Anhänger fest.
He used a piece of string to tie the tarpaulin securely to the trailer.
Cable connections
In its technical sense, 'Strippe' (cable) is often used with activities such as 'verlegen' (to lay or route cables) and 'anschließen' (to connect). It particularly refers to cables behind furniture or connected to electronic devices.
EXAMPLE
Der Techniker musste hinter dem Schrank mehrere Strippen neu verlegen.
The technician had to reroute several cables behind the cabinet.
Fixed expression
In 'an der Strippe hängen' (to be on the phone), the person making the call is the subject; the duration is often indicated with 'lange' (for a long time), 'stundenlang' (for hours), or 'seit' (since / for).
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder hängt seit dem Mittagessen an der Strippe.
My brother has been on the phone since lunchtime.
Sentence pattern
The expression 'jemanden an der Strippe haben' (to have someone on the line) takes the person being called or reached as its accusative object. It is often preceded by an expression such as 'endlich' (finally), 'gerade' (right now), or 'kurz' (briefly).
EXAMPLE
Moment, ich habe gerade meinen Vermieter an der Strippe.
One moment, I've got my landlord on the line right now.
Political context
'Die Strippen ziehen' (to pull the strings) is often used with phrases such as 'im Hintergrund' (behind the scenes) and occurs particularly in reports about political parties, companies, or powerful groups. The subject does not have to hold an official position.
EXAMPLE
Auch nach seinem Rücktritt zog er im Hintergrund noch die Strippen.
Even after his resignation, he was still pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Fixed expression
The expression 'die Strippen in der Hand halten' (to be in control) is often used with 'bei' (in / during) followed by an area of activity or a process. The subject is the person or group that controls decisions in that area.
EXAMPLE
Bei den Verhandlungen hielt letztlich der Aufsichtsrat die Strippen in der Hand.
Ultimately, the supervisory board was in control of the negotiations.
In real life
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