pin down

déterminer précisément, cerner

Trouver ou décider exactement ce qu’est quelque chose.

En anglais simple : To find or decide exactly what something is.

• We cannot pin down the cause.
• They finally pinned down a date for the meeting.
• Can you pin down what feels wrong?

Comment l'utiliser : pin something down (We need to pin the exact cause down.)

Synonymes : identify, establish, determine

Expressions courantes : pin down details, pin down something, pin down dates

obtenir une réponse ferme de

Amener quelqu’un à donner une réponse claire ou à prendre un engagement précis.

En anglais simple : To make someone give a clear answer or agree to something definite.

• Can you pin him down on a price?
• The reporter pinned her down on her plans.
• We finally pinned the supplier down to a delivery date.

Comment l'utiliser : pin someone down on something (We pinned the builder down on a final price.); pin someone down to something (Can you pin her down to a definite date?)

Synonymes : press, get a commitment from

Expressions courantes : pin down someone, pin down suppliers

plaquer au sol

Maintenir quelqu’un sur le dos, les deux épaules au sol, notamment en lutte.

En anglais simple : To hold someone on their back with both shoulders touching the ground, especially in wrestling.

• Try to pin down your opponent.
• She pinned him down with both shoulders on the mat.
• He struggled as the stronger wrestler pinned him down.

Comment l'utiliser : pin someone down (The wrestler pinned his opponent down on the mat.)

Synonymes : pin

Expressions courantes : pin down someone, pin down opponents

fixer avec des épingles

Maintenir quelque chose en place à l’aide de petites épingles métalliques.

En anglais simple : To hold something in place with small metal pins.

• Pin down the tablecloth.
• She pinned down the paper pattern before cutting the fabric.
• Have you pinned the loose edges down?

Comment l'utiliser : pin something down (Pin the cloth down before cutting it.)

Synonymes : pin, fasten, secure

Expressions courantes : pin down fabric, pin down something