die Zange
pliers
A tool with two movable arms joined at a hinge, used to grip, hold, bend, or cut objects.
EXAMPLE
Gib mir bitte die Zange, ich muss den Nagel aus der Wand ziehen.
Please give me the pliers; I need to pull the nail out of the wall.
die Zange
pliers / claw
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Meanings
die Zange
claw / pincer
The grasping tools or pincers of certain animals, such as crabs or scorpions.
EXAMPLE
Der Krebs packte den kleinen Fisch mit seiner Zange.
The crab grabbed the small fish with its claw.
in die Zange nehmen
to put pressure on
To put someone under strong pressure, corner them, or question or attack them from two sides at once.
EXAMPLE
Die Ermittler nahmen den Verdächtigen in die Zange, bis er gestand.
The investigators put pressure on the suspect until he confessed.
Usage tips
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'Zange' (pliers/claw) from the context. If it is about crafts or repairs, it refers to the tool. In connection with animals such as crabs or scorpions, it means their grasping tools or pincers. The expression 'in die Zange nehmen' (to put pressure on someone) is purely figurative.
EXAMPLE
Für diese feine Arbeit brauchst du eine spezielle Zange.
For this delicate work, you need special pliers.
Typical collocations
When 'Zange' (pliers) is meant as a tool, it is often used with verbs like 'benutzen' (to use), 'greifen' (to grip), 'halten' (to hold), or 'ziehen' (to pull). You use the pliers to do something.
EXAMPLE
Er benutzte eine Zange, um den Draht zu biegen.
He used pliers to bend the wire.
Fixed expression
The idiom is 'jemanden in die Zange nehmen' (to put pressure on someone). The person who is being put under pressure is always in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die Journalisten nahmen den Politiker mit kritischen Fragen in die Zange.
The journalists put pressure on the politician with critical questions.
Compare with
Zange vs Schere
scissors / gap
Here, die Schere refers to a tool used for cutting, while die Zange refers to the grasping tools of certain animals. Zange is therefore the appropriate term for a crab’s grasping organs; Schere is not the usual term in this meaning.
Zange
Der Krebs hebt mit seiner Zange ein kleines Stück Futter auf.
The crab picks up a small piece of food with its claw.
Schere
Mit der Schere schneidet die Tierpflegerin ein Stück Papier für das Schild.
Using scissors, the animal keeper cuts a piece of paper for the sign.
In real life
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