What does couper in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word couper in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use couper in French.

The word couper in French means cut, cut, cut, turn off, close, cross, cut through, break up, dilute, cut, cut, cut off, cut yourself, cross, cut yourself off, contradict yourself, trump, cut out, slice, block off, block off, get out of, thick, heavy, breathtaking, jaw-dropping, breathtaking, fog so thick you could cut it with a knife, cut across the fields, take a shortcut, cut, edit out, take the shortest route, cut off, layer, dice, slice thinly, slice, slice, ruin 's appetite, pull the rug out from under, shut up, cut short, cut off, split the difference, meet halfway, cut up, cut off contact, cut the cord, cut the apron strings, cut the umbilical cord, cut the apron strings, cut off the power, cut the engine, stop the engine, shut up, take 's breath away, split hairs, tire out, tire out, wipe out, kick the legs out from under , cut the legs out from under, sever all contact, cut off completely, cut your ties with the past, cut a corner, cut and paste, cutting and pasting, bet your life on it, stake your life on it, bet your bottom dollar on it, butter slicer, will never set the world on fire, breadboard, cut your nails. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word couper

cut

verbe transitif (trancher)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Le barbier a glissé et a coupé la joue de son client.
The barber slipped and cut his customer's cheek.

cut

verbe transitif (sectionner)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Le garçon a coupé la ficelle avec des ciseaux. // Avec ce couteau, je coupe la viande. // Mes ongles sont trop longs : il faut que je me les coupe.
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. His beard is looking a bit messy; he needs to trim it.

cut

verbe transitif (diviser)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Maman a coupé le gâteau en huit morceaux.
Mum cut the cake into eight pieces.

turn off

verbe transitif (fermer)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
As-tu pensé à couper le gaz avant de partir ? // Veuillez couper votre micro quand vous ne parlez pas.
Please mute your mic when you aren't speaking.

close

verbe transitif (interdire l'accès)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Cette route est coupée à la circulation à cause d'un accident.
This road is closed to traffic because of an accident.

cross

verbe transitif (traverser)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Il faut couper la route nationale pour aller chez eux.
You have to cross the main road to get to their house.

cut through

verbe intransitif (passer à travers)

Nous coupons par la forêt pour arriver plus vite.
We cut through the forest to get there quicker.

break up

verbe transitif (rompre un espace) (figurative)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Ces arbres coupent agréablement le paysage qui serait trop plat sinon.
These trees break up the landscape nicely; it would be too flat otherwise.

dilute

verbe transitif (mélanger)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Dans le temps, on coupait souvent le vin avec de l'eau.
Back in the day, we used to dilute wine with water.

cut

verbe transitif (Cinéma : enlever) (cinema)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Cette scène a été coupée au montage.
This scene was cut out during editing.

cut

verbe transitif (jeu : séparer en deux un paquet de cartes) (cards)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
C'est à toi de couper et à lui de donner.
It's your turn to cut and his to deal.

cut off

verbe transitif (interrompre)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Arrête de couper ton frère et laisse-le parler !
Stop interrupting your brother and let him speak!

cut yourself

verbe pronominal (se blesser)

(transitive verb and reflexive pronoun: Transitive verb with reflexive pronoun--for example, "Enjoy yourself." "They behaved themselves.")
Pierre s'est coupé en travaillant avec une scie.
Pierre cut himself while working with a saw.

cross

verbe pronominal (se croiser)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Ces deux routes se coupent.
These two roads intersect.

cut yourself off

verbe pronominal (s'isoler)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Depuis la mort de sa femme, il s'est coupé de tous.
Since his wife's death, he's cut himself off from everyone.

contradict yourself

verbe pronominal (se contredire)

(transitive verb and reflexive pronoun: Transitive verb with reflexive pronoun--for example, "Enjoy yourself." "They behaved themselves.")
À force de mentir, il s'est coupé.
His lies led him to contradict himself.

trump

verbe intransitif (Jeu : abattre une carte d'atout) (cards)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Au whist, un joueur qui n'a pas de cartes dans la couleur peut couper ou se défausser. Au tarot, Luc coupe souvent avec son petit.
In tarot, Luke often plays his lowest trump.

cut out

verbe intransitif (appel téléphonique : être interrompu)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
Avec l'orage, la communication coupa.
Communication was cut off because of the storm.

slice

verbe transitif (sport : passer la raquette sous une balle) (sports)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Le pongiste a tellement coupé la balle qu'elle n'a presque pas rebondi.
The table tennis player gave the ball so much backspin, it almost didn't bounce.

block off, block off

verbe transitif (bloquer)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Ils sont bloqués, nous leur avons coupé la retraite.
They're trapped; we've blocked off their escape route.

get out of

verbe transitif indirect (familier (échapper à) (informal)

Ouf, j'ai coupé à la corvée de bois !
Phew, I got out of firewood duty!

thick, heavy

locution adjectivale (très prononcé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Cet Allemand a un accent à couper au couteau ! Nous nous sommes perdus parce qu'il y avait du brouillard à couper au couteau.

breathtaking, jaw-dropping

locution adjectivale (spectaculaire, saisissant) (figurative)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Nous avons vu en Écosse des paysages à couper le souffle. La princesse était d'une beauté à couper le souffle. Cette figure à couper le souffle est le clou du spectacle.
This dramatic figure is the highlight of the show.

breathtaking

locution adjectivale (figuré (très impressionnant)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

fog so thick you could cut it with a knife

nom masculin (figuré (brouillard très dense)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

cut across the fields

locution verbale (aller au plus court)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les enfants ne prenaient pas la route mais coupaient à travers champs pour gagner le village voisin.

take a shortcut

locution verbale (figuré (prendre un raccourci) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
SI on veut vite un résultat, on coupera à travers champs.

cut, edit out

locution verbale (éliminer d'un film) (film)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

take the shortest route

locution verbale (prendre le chemin le plus rapide)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

cut off

(faire cesser rapidement)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
La direction a décidé de couper court aux rumeurs en démentant cette information.

layer

locution verbale (couper à différentes longueurs) (hair)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

dice

locution verbale (Cuisine : tailler en cubes)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Dans cette recette, les légumes sont coupés en dés.

slice thinly

verbe transitif (trancher finement)

slice

verbe transitif (trancher finement)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

slice

verbe transitif (trancher finement)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

ruin 's appetite

locution verbale (enlever l'envie de manger)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Tes réflexions désobligeantes tout au long du repas me coupent l'appétit.

pull the rug out from under

(figuré (prendre quelqu'un de vitesse) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

shut up

(laisser [qqn] coi, sans voix)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")

cut short, cut off

(ne pas laisser [qqn] finir de parler)

split the difference, meet halfway

locution verbale (figuré (faire un compromis)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

cut up

locution verbale (griller une priorité) (on road)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")

cut off contact

locution verbale (arrêter un moteur)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

cut the cord, cut the apron strings

locution verbale (figuré (prendre son indépendance)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

cut the umbilical cord

locution verbale (séparer de sa mère)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
L'infirmière coupe le cordon ombilical qui relie le bébé à sa mère.

cut the apron strings

locution verbale (figuré (s'affranchir) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Paul a 25 ans, il est temps qu'il aille vivre seul, qu'il coupe le cordon ombilical.

cut off the power

locution verbale (éteindre l'alimentation électrique)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

cut the engine, stop the engine

locution verbale (arrêter un moteur)

shut up

(interloquer [qqn])

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")

take 's breath away

locution verbale (figuré (impressionner) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

split hairs

locution verbale (figuré (se compliquer les choses) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

tire out

locution verbale (figuré (éreinter, essouffler)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Ce sprint m'a coupé les jambes.

tire out

locution verbale (figuré, familier (éreinter, essouffler)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Monter ces escaliers quatre à quatre nous a coupé les pattes.

wipe out

(figuré, familier (grandement fatiguer [qqn]) (figurative, informal)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Cette canicule, ça me coupe les pattes.

kick the legs out from under , cut the legs out from under

(figuré, familier (fortement décourager [qqn]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cette nouvelle défection d'un conseiller municipal a coupé les pattes au maire.

sever all contact

(cesser une relation)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

cut off completely

(cesser de subventionner [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

cut your ties with the past

locution verbale (ne plus avoir de relation avec)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

cut a corner

locution verbale (tourner en empiétant sur l'autre file)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

cut and paste, cutting and pasting

nom masculin invariable (déplacement de données informatique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le couper-coller est pratique pour remanier un texte.

bet your life on it, stake your life on it, bet your bottom dollar on it

locution verbale (figuré (être absolument convaincu de [qch]) (colloquial, figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je te dis qu'il la trompe ! J'en mettrais ma main à couper !

butter slicer

nom masculin (fil servant à couper le beurre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

will never set the world on fire

locution verbale (familier, péjoratif (être un peu bête)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mon collègue est gentil, mais il n'a pas inventé le fil à couper le beurre.

breadboard

nom féminin (plateau de découpe du pain)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
J'ai sorti la planche à pain sur la table.

cut your nails

(raccourcir ses ongles)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je t'ai déjà dit de ne pas te couper les ongles dans le salon !

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