German

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Etymology

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Supposedly from Middle Low German gebēte, which is cognate with High German Gebiss (bit for a horse), hence “to fasten the reins as on a disobedient horse”. A derivation from Gebet (prayer)—possibly in the context of confession—cannot be ruled out, but is considered less likely.

Verb

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ins Gebet nehmen (class 4 strong, third-person singular present nimmt ins Gebet, past tense nahm ins Gebet, past participle ins Gebet genommen, past subjunctive nähme ins Gebet, auxiliary haben)

  1. to take to task
    Synonyms: die Leviten lesen, ein Hühnchen rupfen

Conjugation

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