Rastignac (en. Rastignac)

/ras.ti.ɲak/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

A young man determined to succeed, often by unscrupulous means.

He has become a true rastignac, ready to do anything to succeed in high society.

Il est devenu un véritable rastignac, prêt à tout pour réussir dans la haute société.

A person who aspires to social advancement, often opportunistically.

She sees him as a rastignac, using his charm to get ahead.

Elle le considère comme un rastignac, utilisant son charme pour progresser.

A term designating a person who uses demagoguery to advance.

This politician is a rastignac, taking advantage of every opportunity to gain votes.

Ce politicien est un rastignac, profitant de chaque opportunité pour gagner des voix.

The term comes from the character Eugène de Rastignac, created by Honoré de Balzac in 'La Comédie humaine'.

to be a rastignac

To be someone who uses all means to rise socially.

être un rastignac

to act like a rastignac

To show ambition at the expense of others.

agir comme un rastignac

ambition

Intense desire to succeed or achieve a goal.

ambition

opportunism

Politics or behavior consisting of profiting from circumstances.

opportunisme

An upstart, especially in the finance sector.

This guy is a real rastignac; he only thinks about his profit.

Ce type est un vrai rastignac, il ne pense qu'à son profit.

A person who does not hesitate to crush others to succeed.

Don't trust him; he's an unfeeling rastignac.

Ne fais pas confiance à lui, c'est un rastignac insensible.