GERMAN · C1WORD NOTES
MEANING & PRONUNCIATION

kneifen

pinch

Die Großtante kniff ihn zur Begrüßung in die Wange, obwohl er ihr bereits gesagt hatte, dass ihm diese Geste unangenehm war.

His great-aunt pinched his cheek in greeting although he had already told her that he found the gesture unpleasant.

pinch; be uncomfortably tight

Die Schuhe kneifen, sobald ihre Füße nach längerem Gehen anschwellen, weshalb sie für die Wanderung ein anderes Paar auswählt.

The shoes pinch as soon as her feet swell after prolonged walking, which is why she is choosing a different pair for the hike.

chicken out; back out

Als es darum ging, die gemeinsam vereinbarte Kritik tatsächlich vorzutragen, kniff er und überließ seiner Kollegin das unangenehme Gespräch.

When it came to actually voicing the criticism they had agreed on together, he chickened out and left his colleague to handle the unpleasant conversation.

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