French word

démener

Pronunciation

IPA/demne/

Meaning

  • verbwork hard

Example

Je me démène pour apprendre le français.

I am working hard to learn French.

Illustration for démener (work hard)

More examples

Elle se démène pour finir le projet.

She is struggling hard to finish the project.

Core concept

A person throwing all their energy into rapid, restless action to get free or reach a goal.

Common phrases

  • se démener

    struggle hard

  • se démener pour

    go to great lengths to ___

  • se démener comme un beau diable

    struggle like mad

Similar words

se donner du mal: Take considerable pains and work hard to achieve something.
s'efforcer: Make a deliberate effort to deal with a challenge.
s'agiter: Be restless and constantly active in body or mind.
peiner: Labor with difficulty to complete a task.

Definition in French

Agir avec ardeur et agitation pour atteindre un but ou sortir d'une situation difficile.

Word origin

Démener comes from Old French desmener, formed with des- and mener, 'to lead or move'; modern use developed especially in the pronominal se démener.

Usage tips

  • French normally uses this verb as se démener, often followed by pour plus an infinitive: se démener pour réussir.

Other meanings

  • struggleverb
  • striveverb

Opposites

  • se résignerresign oneselfverb
  • abandonnerabandonverb

Word lists with this word