force

force

Action de pousser ou de tirer quelque chose, ou intensité de cette action.

En anglais simple : A push or pull on something, or the strength of that push or pull.

• The wind hit us with great force.
• Gravity is a force that pulls objects down.
• Apply a little more force to the handle.

Synonymes : pressure, strength

Expressions courantes : apply force, magnetic force, force of something, with great force

force, corps

Groupe organisé de personnes, notamment des policiers ou des soldats.

En anglais simple : An organized group of people, especially police officers or soldiers.

• She joined the police force.
• A small force guarded the bridge.
• The government sent more forces to the border.

Synonymes : unit, corps

Expressions courantes : police force, armed force, peacekeeping force, join the force

force, puissance

Force qui permet d’agir sur les personnes ou les événements.

En anglais simple : The strength or power that makes something have an effect on people or events.

• Her words had real force.
• The argument lost its force when new evidence appeared.
• He persuaded them by sheer force of personality.

Synonymes : power, strength, weight

Contraires : weakness

Expressions courantes : force of argument, force of personality, full force, legal force

force, moteur

Personne ou chose qui influence fortement une situation ou provoque des changements.

En anglais simple : A person or thing that strongly changes or influences something.

• She is a force for change.
• Technology has become a powerful force in education.
• Several social forces shaped the city.

Comment l'utiliser : a force for something (Education can be a force for peace.); a force in something (The company is a major force in publishing.)

Synonymes : influence, driving factor

Expressions courantes : force for change, a driving force, a political force

forcer, obliger

Obliger quelqu’un à agir ou faire arriver quelque chose malgré les difficultés ou la résistance.

En anglais simple : To make someone do something or make something happen, even when it is unwanted or difficult.

• They forced me to leave.
• The accident forced a change in our plans.
• He forced his way into the packed room.

Comment l'utiliser : force someone to do something (The storm forced us to turn back.); force someone into something (They forced him into a difficult choice.); force your way into/through something (She forced her way through the crowd.)

Synonymes : compel, make, oblige

Expressions courantes : force someone to, force something through, force your way, force a decision

forcer, ouvrir de force

Ouvrir une porte, une serrure ou un objet semblable par la force, souvent en l’abîmant.

En anglais simple : To open a door, lock, or similar object by using strength, often damaging it.

• Someone forced the lock.
• Police forced the door to reach the injured man.
• They tried to force a window open.

Comment l'utiliser : force something open (The firefighters forced the door open.)

Synonymes : break open, pry open

Expressions courantes : force a door, force a lock, force something open

forcer à couper

Jouer une couleur qu’un autre joueur n’a pas pour l’obliger à utiliser un atout.

En anglais simple : In a card game, to make another player use a trump by playing a suit they lack.

• A heart will force your partner.
• She forced her opponent by leading another club.
• That lead forces West to trump.

Comment l'utiliser : force someone to trump (Leading a heart forced my partner to trump.)

Synonymes : make trump

Expressions courantes : force your partner, force an opponent, force someone to trump