French word

débrouiller

Pronunciation

IPA/debʁuje/

Meaning

  • verbdeal with

Example

Il faut débrouiller ces dossiers avant la réunion.

These files need to be dealt with before the meeting.

Illustration for débrouiller (deal with)

More examples

Elle sait se débrouiller dans toutes les situations.

She knows how to manage in any situation.

Core concept

A tangled set of threads or problems becomes orderly enough to handle again.

Common phrases

  • se débrouiller

    manage on one's own

  • débrouiller un problème

    solve a problem

  • débrouiller une affaire compliquée

    unravel a complicated case

Similar words

régler: Settling an issue or matter and bringing it to a satisfactory conclusion.
résoudre: Finding the cause of a problem or difficulty and solving it.
gérer: Managing work or a situation so that it runs smoothly.
arranger: Putting matters or circumstances in order to make them work well.

Definition in French

Démêler ou arranger une situation ou un objet embrouillé afin d'en reprendre la maîtrise, parfois de façon improvisée.

Word origin

French débrouiller combines dé- with brouiller, a verb meaning to mix or confuse, so it denotes undoing confusion or disorder.

Usage tips

  • The transitive form débrouiller takes a direct object, while se débrouiller means managing or getting by without necessarily removing a specific tangle.

Other meanings

  • untangleverb
  • solveverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word