乗っ取る
のっとる · nottoru · JLPT N1 · verb-godan
to take over
🏴☠️ 乗る (ride/board) + 取る (take) = boarding and seizing control, like pirates taking over a ship
乗っ取る combines 乗る (to board, ride) and 取る (to take). Boarding a vessel and taking it by force gives the sense of capturing or taking over.
取 — ear 耳 + hand 又
取 originally depicted a hand (又) grasping an ear (耳), referencing the ancient practice of soldiers cutting off enemies' left ears as proof of kills to claim rewards. The meaning broadened from 'seize/take by force' to the general sense of 'take, get, obtain' used today.