redresser

/ʁə.dʁɛ.se/
verbIntermediate
general

To straighten something that is bent or crooked.

Redressez les livres sur l'étagère.

Straighten the books on the shelf.

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Often used for physical objects like furniture or posture.

general

To correct or remedy a situation or injustice.

Le gouvernement a promis de redresser l'économie.

The government promised to correct the economy.

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Can be used metaphorically for abstract concepts.

formal

To restore someone's reputation or honor.

Il a réussi à redresser son nom après le scandale.

He managed to restore his reputation after the scandal.

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Often used in legal or social contexts.

Collocations

redresser une situationto correct a situationredresser une injusticeto right a wrongredresser ses erreursto correct one's mistakes

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

se redresserphrase
to straighten oneself up
redresser la barreidiom
to steer a course (figuratively)

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

In everyday language, 'redresser' is often used for physical objects or abstract situations.

Gold Rule

Reflexive Form

The reflexive form 'se redresser' means to straighten oneself up physically or metaphorically.

📖Word Origin

From Old French 'redresser', from 're-' (again) + 'dresser' (to arrange).

📝Usage Notes

The verb can be both transitive (requiring a direct object) and intransitive (without a direct object).

Word Breakdown

re-
again
prefix
+
dresser
to arrange or straighten
root
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais