Why do I need to know épauler?
Because you don’t want to translate it into the English expression of ‘giving someone a cold shoulder’.
What does it mean?
Quite the opposite. Epauler literally means ‘to shoulder’, but it really is a way of expressing 'help', 'support' or 'backup'.
The English equivalent would be 'giving someone a leg-up' or 'having someone's back'.
It's a versatile verb and can also mean 'reinforce' or strengthen. Use it in the same way you would use soutenir (support) or donner un coup de main (giving a helping hand).
It's not quite the same as se serrer les coudes (locking elbows), which means 'standing together'. Both are actions of solidarity, they're just a little different. Whereas se serrer les coudes is about helping each other, épauler implies someone helping someone else.
Use it like this
Je t'épaules. – I've got your back.
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