Example: Il a finalement mis son collègue au pied du mur lors de la réunion.
Definition
"Mettre quelqu'un au pied du mur" means to force someone to face a difficult or unavoidable situation where they must make a decision or take responsibility. It implies confronting someone with a challenge or demand that leaves no room for evasion, as in making a colleague answer directly during a meeting.
Translations
To corner someone
Poner a alguien contra las cuerdas
Iemand met de rug tegen de muur zetten
Posar algú contra les cordes
Jemanden mit dem Rücken zur Wand bringen
Etymology
The phrase "Mettre quelqu'un au pied du mur" literally translates to 'put someone at the foot of the wall.' It originates from a metaphorical image of trapping someone against a wall, leaving them no escape. This expression has been used in French for centuries to describe forcing someone into a corner or difficult position, emphasizing the lack of alternatives.
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"Mettre quelqu'un au pied du mur" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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To corner someone