What does rabattre in French mean?

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

The word rabattre in French means refold, fold down, pull back in, move back in, slam shut, fold, pull back in, move back in, get back in, cut across, swing across, make do with, drive, usher, cut back, subdue, humble, lower your sights, reduce, put in his/her place. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word rabattre

refold

verbe transitif (refermer)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Le cygne a rabattu ses ailes après les avoir déployées.
The swan refolded it's wings after unfurling them.

fold down

verbe transitif (replier)

J'ai rabattu les sièges de la voiture pour pouvoir mettre la table dans le coffre.
I folded the car seats down so I could put the table in the boot.

pull back in, move back in

verbe transitif (reprendre une ancienne direction)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il ne faut pas rabattre trop vite sa voiture après avoir doublé.
You mustn't pull your car back in too quickly after overtaking.

slam shut

verbe pronominal (se refermer) (door, window)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Avec ce courant d'air, la fenêtre s'est rabattue sur ses doigts.
Because of the draught, the window slammed shut on his fingers.

fold

verbe pronominal (se replier)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Ce plateau peut se rabattre contre le mur pour gagner de la place.
This table top folds against the wall to save space.

pull back in, move back in, get back in

verbe pronominal (reprendre une direction initiale) (car)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce conducteur s'est rabattu trop vite, il m'a fait une queue de poisson. Ce camion n'avance pas et bloque la voie rapide ; pourquoi est-ce qu'il ne se rabat pas ?
That driver pulled back in too quickly; he cut me up. That lorry isn't going anywhere and it's blocking the fast lane; why doesn't it get back in?

cut across, swing across

verbe pronominal (changer de direction)

Ce camion s'est rabattu au dernier moment vers la sortie n°12.
The lorry cut across at the last minute, heading for exit 12.

make do with

(accepter par dépit)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les vacances en Irlande étant trop chères, nous nous sommes rabattus sur l'Espagne.
As holidays in Ireland were too expensive, we made do with Spain.

drive

verbe transitif (Chasse : mener [qch] vers [qqn]) (hunting)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Les chiens ont rabattu le gibier vers les chasseurs.
The dogs drove the game towards the hunters.

usher

verbe transitif (inciter [qqn] à aller quelque part)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Ces vendeurs à la sauvette rabattaient des clients vers ce cabaret.
The street touts steered customers towards the nightclub.

cut back

verbe transitif (tailler sévèrement un végétal) (tree)

J'ai rabattu cet arbre à papillons à 5 cm du sol.
I cut the buddleia back to 5 cm off the ground.

subdue, humble

verbe transitif (soutenu (diminuer)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Il a dû rabattre son orgueil et se contenter de ce poste.
He had to swallow his pride and be content with this job.

lower your sights

verbe transitif (revoir à la baisse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Avec la crise, elle a dû rabattre ses exigences.
Because of the economic crisis, she has had to lower her sights.

reduce

verbe transitif (réduire)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Les soldes permettent de rabattre jusqu'à 5 % sur le prix affiché.
The sales mean we can reduce the marked price by up to 5%.

put in his/her place

locution verbale (remettre [qqn] à sa place)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Quand j'ai dit à mon oncle prétentieux que je n'avais que 25 ans et que j'étais déjà directrice générale, ça lui a rabattu le caquet !

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