auf|greifen
Translation
to take up, to pick up on, to apprehend, to seize
Examples
Die Presse hat das Thema sofort aufgegriffen.
The press took up the topic immediately.
Der Verdächtige wurde nahe der Grenze aufgegriffen.
The suspect was apprehended near the border.
Grammar Patterns
((et4)) aufgreifen to take up sth. The newspaper picked up the story.
((j-n)) aufgreifen to apprehend sb. The police were able to apprehend the culprit.
Similar Words
Synonyms: aufnehmen (to take up), festnehmen (to arrest); Antonyms: fallen lassen (to drop), ignorieren (to ignore)
Etymology
From `auf-` (up) and `greifen` (to grip, grab). Literally 'to grab up'.
Memory Tips
Picture 'grabbing' (`greifen`) an idea `auf` (up) from the air, or police 'grabbing up' a criminal.