grätschen
Translation
to slide tackle, to tackle, to intervene, to thwart
Examples
Der Verteidiger grätscht nach dem Ball.
The defender slide tackles for the ball.
Sie grätschte in die Diskussion dazwischen.
She intervened in the discussion.
Grammar Patterns
to slide tackle ((for sth.)) to slide tackle for sth. The player slide tackles for the ball.
to intervene ((in sth.)) to intervene in sth. She intervened in the discussion.
Similar Words
Synonyms (figurative): to intervene (dazwischenfahren), to interrupt (unterbrechen)
Etymology
Derived from the noun 'die Grätsche' (straddle, slide tackle), which refers to the action of spreading one's legs apart.
Memory Tips
Picture a soccer player making a 'great stretch' (sounds like Grätsche) to tackle the ball. This image works for both the literal and figurative meanings of intervening.