der
Rückzieher
🤔 What exactly is a 'Rückzieher'?
Der Rückzieher describes the act of withdrawing a previously made commitment, announcement, or decision, or backing out of a situation or project. It's essentially the opposite of standing by one's word.
The fixed phrase "einen Rückzieher machen" (to make a withdrawal / to back out) is very common.
Example: Nach öffentlicher Kritik machte der Politiker einen Rückzieher bei seinem Gesetzesvorschlag. (After public criticism, the politician backed out of his legislative proposal.)
There are no different meanings based on different articles, as "Rückzieher" only takes the article "der".
Article rules for der, die, and das
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Rückzieher
"Rückzieher" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Rückzieher |
| Genitive | des | Rückziehers |
| Dative | dem | Rückzieher |
| Accusative | den | Rückzieher |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Rückzieher |
| Genitive | der | Rückzieher |
| Dative | den | Rückziehern |
| Accusative | die | Rückzieher |
📝 Example Sentences
- Sein plötzlicher Rückzieher überraschte alle.
(His sudden withdrawal surprised everyone.) - Wir müssen mit den Konsequenzen seines Rückziehers leben.
(We have to live with the consequences of his backing out.) - Ich habe Verständnis für seinen Rückzieher.
(I understand his decision to back out.) - Sie akzeptierte seinen Rückzieher nicht ohne Weiteres.
(She didn't readily accept him backing out.) - Die vielen Rückzieher in der Projektplanung führten zu Verzögerungen.
(The many instances of backing out / changes of plan in the project planning led to delays.)
🗣️ How is 'Rückzieher' used?
The term "Rückzieher" is often used in situations where someone gives up a commitment, promise, or position. This can happen in various contexts:
- Politics: A politician retracts a statement or plan.
- Business: A company withdraws an offer or commitment.
- Personal life: Someone cancels an appointment at short notice or revokes a promise.
"Einen Rückzieher machen" (to back out) is often viewed as indecisive, sometimes cowardly, or at least negatively, but it can also be a sign of insight or caution.
Distinction: While "Rücktritt" typically describes a formal resignation from office and "Widerruf" is often used in a legal sense (e.g., for contracts), "Rückzieher" is more general and often informal.
🧠 Mnemonics
Article Mnemonic: Think of a man (who is typically 'der' in German grammar stereotypes) who suddenly retreats or pulls back ('zieht zurück') because he gets cold feet. The man = der Rückzieher.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone pulling ('ziehen') something forward (making a commitment) and then suddenly pulling it back ('rück'). That's the Rück-Zieher (back-puller, meaning the act of pulling back).
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Rücktritt: Often more formal, e.g., resignation from a position.
- Widerruf: More formal/legal, revocation of a statement or offer.
- Absage: Refusal of an invitation or proposal.
- Zurücknahme: General term for taking something back (words or actions).
- Kapitulation (figurative): Capitulation, giving up a position.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Zusage: Commitment, promise.
- Festhalten (an): Sticking to (a decision/position).
- Beharren (auf): Insisting on.
- Durchziehen: Seeing something through as planned.
- Engagement: Commitment, involvement.
⚠️ Caution: Not every synonym fits every context. "Rückzieher" often implies a prior commitment or forward momentum that is being reversed.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Gärtner einen Rückzieher gemacht, als er den Komposthaufen umsetzen wollte?
Er hatte kalte Füße bekommen – es war ja auch erst Februar! 😉
(Why did the gardener back out when he wanted to move the compost heap?
He got cold feet – after all, it was only February!)
📜 Poem about the 'Rückzieher'
Große Pläne, kühner Schritt,
Die Zusage klang nach Hit.
Doch Zweifel kamen über Nacht,
Die Zuversicht ward klein gemacht.
Ein Zögern erst, ein leises Bangen,
Die Worte wollen nicht mehr klingen.
Dann kommt er schnell, man kann ihn spüren:
Der unerwartete Rückzieher.
---
(Big plans, a bold step taken,
The promise sounded like a hit awaken.
But doubts arrived throughout the night,
Confidence diminished, losing might.
A hesitation first, a quiet fear,
The words no longer sound so clear.
Then swiftly comes, its presence near:
The unexpected backing-out appears.)
🧩 Riddle
Ich bin kein Krebs, doch geh' zurück.
Ich breche oft ein Wort, ein Stück.
Man macht mich, wenn der Mut verblasst,
Oder wenn etwas nicht mehr passt.
Was bin ich? (Auflösung: Der Rückzieher)
---
(I'm not a crab, but I go back.
I often break a word, a track.
You make me when courage has passed,
Or when something just doesn't last.
What am I? (Answer: Der Rückzieher / Backing out / Withdrawal))
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Rückzieher" is a compound noun, composed of:
- rück: Prefix or adverb indicating backward movement or reversal (from 'zurück' - back).
- Zieher: Nominalization of the verb 'ziehen' (to pull), denoting a person or thing that pulls.
So, a "Rückzieher" literally means someone or something that pulls back. Figuratively, it refers to the act of pulling back (a statement, plan, etc.).
Idiom:
The most common usage is in the idiom "einen Rückzieher machen" (lit. to make a back-puller), meaning to back out, to withdraw, to renege.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Rückzieher?
The word "Rückzieher" is masculine. The correct article is der Rückzieher.