tillgripa

Tillgripa is a Swedish verb meaning to resort to or to adopt a measure, method, or tactic in response to a situation. It is used primarily in formal or written Swedish, especially in legal, political, administrative, and analytical contexts. The sense is figurative, deriving from the literal act of seizing something, but applied to choosing and applying a solution rather than a physical action.

The word is formed from the prefix till- meaning toward or as a response and the verb gripa meaning to seize. Figuratively, tillgripa conveys meaning similar to “seize upon” a solution or remedy. It can apply to measures, strategies, or actions and is typical of a formal register.

Usage notes: Tillgripa is common in official or professional discourse and often appears with nouns such as åtgärder, metoder, or befogenheter (for example, tillgripa åtgärder, tillgripa metoder, tillgripa befogenheter). It carries a sense of deliberate decision or necessity, rather than casual use. In many contexts it can be considered more formal or forceful than synonyms like använda or ta i bruk.

Examples:

- Regeringen tillgriper nya befogenheter i nödläget. (The government resorts to new powers in the emergency.)

- Organisationen tillgriper tillfälliga åtgärder för att minska kostnaderna. (The organization resorts to temporary measures to reduce costs.)

See also: gripa, till- prefix, tillgång och behörighetsrelaterade uttryck.