à bout de bras

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a bu də bʁa/ ~ /a bu də bʁɑ/

• Audio:

  (file)

Adverb

à bout de bras

1. at arm's length, with one's arm stretched

   Synonym: le bras tendu

   tenir à bout de bras ― to hold at arm's length

   porter à bout de bras ― to carry with outstretched arms

   lever à bout de bras ― to lift with outstretched arms

2. (figuratively) single-handedly and with great difficulty, by exerting a lot of effort

   tenir à bout de bras, porter à bout de bras ― to prop up, to keep afloat