Example: Il était au pied du mur et a dû prendre une décision rapide.
Definition
"Être au pied du mur" is a French expression meaning to be in a situation where one must face a difficult decision or challenge without the possibility of avoiding or delaying it, much like being backed against a wall with no escape.
Translations
To be backed into a corner
Estar contra las cuerdas
Met de rug tegen de muur staan
Estar contra les cordes
Mit dem Rücken zur Wand stehen
Etymology
The expression "Être au pied du mur" literally translates as 'to be at the foot of the wall.' It likely originates from the idea of being trapped or cornered against a wall, symbolizing a pressing situation with no way out. Did you know this expression vividly evokes the pressure of making an urgent decision?
Learn to use this expression actively
"Être au pied du mur" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
Would you like to not only understand these expressions, but also remember them and use them actively? Create a free account and select French as the language you want to learn.
To be backed into a corner