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acculer

to back into a corner, to corner

verb ah-koo-LEH Rare
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Origin: From à- + cul 'backside, rear' — to push to the back

Usage Note

Acculer is typically used in the reflexive or passive sense — être acculé means to be cornered or forced into a desperate situation. It applies figuratively to financial or political predicaments: acculé à la faillite means 'driven to bankruptcy'. The image is of being pushed backward against a wall.

Examples

"L'entreprise était acculée à la faillite."

Natural Translation

The company was driven to bankruptcy.

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