French Expression of the Day: Au forceps
This is a useful expression for describing a task which requires great effort - and may even apply to your new year's resolution.
Why do I need to know au forceps?
Because this is how health authorities have described efforts to convince anti-vaxxers get their shots.
What does it mean?
Au forceps, pronounced "oh four-seps", is a French expression used to qualify a task as particularly difficult. It is one of the few French words where the s on the end is not silent.
In both English and French, forceps are medical tools used as pincers or tweezers, often in surgery.
The word also describes the instruments sometimes used to help pull a baby out during a difficult childbirth.
How to use it
Convaincre les gens est un travail au forceps - Convincing people is difficult work
Le budget a été adopté au forceps - The budget was passed with difficulty
L'équipe a eu deux victoires au forceps - The team won two difficult victories
La monnaie unique a été conçue comme le moyen de faire advenir au forceps une nation européenne - The single currency was conceived of as a tough way to bring Europe together as a nation
Synonyms
Difficilement
Avec beaucoup de peine
Laborieusement
Comments
See Also
Why do I need to know au forceps?
Because this is how health authorities have described efforts to convince anti-vaxxers get their shots.
What does it mean?
Au forceps, pronounced "oh four-seps", is a French expression used to qualify a task as particularly difficult. It is one of the few French words where the s on the end is not silent.
In both English and French, forceps are medical tools used as pincers or tweezers, often in surgery.
The word also describes the instruments sometimes used to help pull a baby out during a difficult childbirth.
How to use it
Convaincre les gens est un travail au forceps - Convincing people is difficult work
Le budget a été adopté au forceps - The budget was passed with difficulty
L'équipe a eu deux victoires au forceps - The team won two difficult victories
La monnaie unique a été conçue comme le moyen de faire advenir au forceps une nation européenne - The single currency was conceived of as a tough way to bring Europe together as a nation
Synonyms
Difficilement
Avec beaucoup de peine
Laborieusement
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