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    Étouffer (en. Smother)

    [e.tu.fe]

    Meaning & Definition

    EnglishFrench
    verb
    To make someone unable to breathe by obstructing their breath.
    He started to suffocate on a piece of bread.
    Il a commencé à s'étouffer avec un morceau de pain.
    To cause death by suffocation.
    The smoke managed to stifle the flames.
    La fumée a réussi à étouffer les flammes.
    To extinguish or repress something.
    The authorities tried to stifle the protest movement.
    Les autorités ont tenté d'étouffer le mouvement de protestation.

    Etymology

    Provençal 'estuffar', deriving from Latin 'stuffare' which means to stuff.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    to be doubled over with laughter
    Laughing so much that one struggles to breathe.
    s'étouffer de rire
    to stifle criticism
    To repress or hide criticism.
    étouffer une critique
    to suffocate from love
    To be out of oneself due to passionate love.
    étouffer d'amour

    Related Words

    suffocation
    State of being unable to breathe.
    suffocation
    oppression
    State of being subjected to pressure or authority.
    oppression
    embrace
    Action of holding someone tightly in one's arms.
    étreinte

    Slang Meanings

    To feel a sudden wave of fatigue.
    After that meeting, I had a big suffocation.
    Après cette réunion, j'ai eu un gros étouffement.
    To be overwhelmed by emotions.
    When I saw the movie, I was choked with tears.
    Quand j'ai vu le film, j'ai étouffé dans mes larmes.