pliers / claw
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pliers
A tool with two movable arms joined at a hinge, used to grip, hold, bend, or cut objects.
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.
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.
Für diese feine Arbeit brauchst du eine spezielle Zange.
For this delicate work, you need special pliers.
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.
Er benutzte eine Zange, um den Draht zu biegen.
He used pliers to bend the wire.
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.
Die Journalisten nahmen den Politiker mit kritischen Fragen in die Zange.
The journalists put pressure on the politician with critical questions.
scissors / gap
'die Schere' and 'die Zange' are both tools with two movable parts. That makes them easy to confuse. 'Die Schere' is used mainly for cutting, for example paper, fabric, or hair. 'Die Zange' is used more for gripping, holding, or bending; some pliers can also cut wire. When two blades directly separate material, 'die Schere' is usually meant. When you need to grip or hold something, 'die Zange' is a better fit.
Mit der Zange zieht Paul den kleinen Nagel aus dem Brett.
Paul uses the pliers to pull the small nail out of the board.
Für das Geschenkpapier brauche ich eine scharfe Schere.
I need sharp scissors for the wrapping paper.