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affoler

to panic, to drive wild

verb ah-foh-LEH Rare

Usage Note

affoler means to throw into a panic or make someone lose their head. The reflexive s'affoler is very common: ne t'affole pas means 'don't panic'. The past participle affolé functions as an adjective meaning 'frantic' or 'panicked'.

Examples

"Cette nouvelle a affolé tout le quartier."

Natural Translation

This news sent the whole neighbourhood into a panic.

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