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déboutonner

unbutton

verb day-boo-toh-NAY Rare

Usage Note

Déboutonner literally means to undo buttons; se déboutonner is used figuratively to mean 'to open up' or 'to speak freely,' as in finally revealing one's true thoughts. The opposite is boutonner (to button up).

Examples

"Il a déboutonné sa veste en entrant."

Natural Translation

He unbuttoned his jacket when coming in.

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