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dégourdir

to warm up

verb deh-goor-DEER Rare
Body & Health Movement

Also means

to sharpen (wits)

Usage Note

Dégourdir literally means to remove stiffness — se dégourdir les jambes ('to stretch one's legs') is a very common phrase. Figuratively, dégourdir quelqu'un means to sharpen someone up, to make them more streetwise. The adjective dégourdi ('resourceful, sharp') describes someone who is quick-witted and capable — the opposite is empoté ('clumsy, slow-witted').

Examples

"Je vais me dégourdir les jambes un moment."

Natural Translation

I'm going to stretch my legs for a moment.

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