Also means
take effect
Usage Note
greifen means 'to grasp' physically (nach etwas greifen, 'to reach for something') but also 'to take hold' in the sense of measures starting to work (die Reform greift). It is strong, with past tense griff. The cognate is English 'grip'.
Examples
"Er griff nach dem Glas."
Natural Translation
He reached for the glass.
Literal Translation
He grabbed after the glass.
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