his legs were wide apart

ʒɑ̃b ʒɑ̃b nf

عَلَى \ against: touching (usually sth. upright): The rain beat against the window. He pressed his nose against the glass. on: showing where sb. or sth. is placed: He lay on his back on the bed. The picture hung on a nail on the wall. Your name is on the list. He hit me on the nose. The boat is on the river (in the water). The house is on the river (beside the water), as in the previous meaning, but with movement (often with to) He jumped on (to) his horse. The book fell on (to) the floor. onto: on to: He sprang onto the table. over: lying across; resting on; covering: A cloud was over the sun. She spread a cloth over the table, across the surface of Ships sail over the sea, above (in rank, etc.) He rules over a proud people, about; concerning They quarrelled over the resutl of the race. You need not hurry over your dinner. upon: on. \ عَلَى \ on shore, ashore: on dry land; not on the sea; on or to the shore: Sailors are unhappy ashore. We swam ashore from the boat. \ See Also نَحْوَ البَرّ، اليابسة (اليَابِسَة)‏ \ عَلَى \ ashore: on or to the shore: Sailors are unhappy ashore. We swam ashore from the boat. on shore, ashore: on dry land; not on the sea. \ See Also نَحْوَ الشّاطِئ \ عَلَى اتِّصَال (عكس مُنْقَطع عن)‏ \ in touch: (the opposite is out of touch) giving or receiving news: I’ve been in touch with my brother by telephone. The radio keeps us in touch with world events. \ عَلَى أتَمّ ما يكُون من التَّرتيب والهِنْدام \ spick and span: (as a predic. phrase) neat, clean and bright: Sailors usually keep their boats spick and span. \ عَلَى الأَثير \ on the air: being sent out on the radio or television. \ عَلَى أَحْسَن وَجْه \ best, well, better: in the best way: Peter played best last week. \ عَلَى أرْبَع \ on all fours: on hands and knees: She went down on all fours to look for the needle. \ عَلَى الأرض \ over: from an upright (or straight) position to a flat (or bent) position: I fell over. He knocked me over. She bent over to pick it up. \ عَلَى استعداد \ content: willing: I’m content to wait for my turn. \ عَلَى أشُدِّه \ in full swing: (of an activity) at its highest point; very busy: The party was in full swing when I arrived. \ عَلَى الإطلاق \ little: (coming just before the verb) not at all: I little knew (or Little did I know) that next day he would be dead. not in the least: not at all: It doesn’t matter in the least. whatever: at all: I have no money whatever. whatsoever: a strong form of whatever; at all: Tell him nothing whatsoever!. \ عَلَى الأَغْلَب \ for the most part: mostly: He is old and for the most part he stays at home. \ عَلَى أَقْصَى ما تستطيع رؤيتَه \ in the distance: far away (from the point where one is): In the distance he could see the mountains. \ عَلَى الأَقَلّ \ a good: (with numbers) at least: He lives a good 3 miles away. at least: (showing that sth. is true, necessary, etc., even if sth. else is not) in spite of what has just been said or is just going to be said: He may be lazy but at least he’s honest. You can at least be polite even if you don’t like him, not less than It cost at least $100. quite: at least; not less than: The journey took quite three hours. \ عَلَى الأَكثَر \ largely: mostly: The accident was largely his own fault. mainly: chiefly; mostly. \ عَلَى انفِراد \ private: (only in the phrase in private) privately; where nobody can hear except those concerned: May I speak to you in private. \ عَلَى أُهْبَة الاستعداد \ stand by: to be ready, in case one may be needed: The soldiers were told to stand by. \ عَلَى أَيّ حال \ anyhow: in any case: I don’t really need this; anyhow, it costs too much. anyway: in any case: I may be late; anyway, don’t wait for me, in any case I don’t really need this; anyhow, it costs too much. at all events, in any event: in any case; whatever may happen or has happened: He didn’t win but, at all events, he did try hard. at any rate: at least; in any case: He wasn’t there; at any rate, I don’t think he was. I may not succeed; but I’ll try, at any rate. in any case: no matter what else may be considered, anyhow: It costs too much. In any case, I don’t really need it. \ عَلَى أيَّة حال \ all the same, at the same time: (only at the start of a sentence; comparing points that are for and against) in spite of this: He’s not clever; all the same, he does try hard. however: all the same; in spite of what has just been said: I’m very tired; however, I’ll come and help you. \ عَلَى بُعد \ away: at a distance: Brighton is 60 miles away. Keep away from the wet paint. beyond: further; on or to the farther side: I looked across the river to the hills beyond. \ عَلَى التَّخْصِيص \ in particular: especially: I enjoyed his first song in particular. \ عَلَى التَّوَالي \ respectively: separately, in that order: Boys and girls will be examined on Monday and Tuesday respectively (the boys on Monday, the girls on Tuesday). \ عَلَى جَانِب \ up: along (up and down are both used like this, although the course may be quite level): He lives just up the road. \ عَلَى الجميع \ round: to everyone: He handed the coffee round. There were not enough cups to go round. \ عَلَى حَدٍّ \ as far as, so far as: (showing a limit): As far as I know, he’s not here. \ عَلَى حَدٍّ سَواء \ alike: in the same way: He treats us all alike. \ عَلَى حَدِّ عِلْمي \ to the best knowledge: as far as I know: To the best of my knowledge, he is honest (I have no reason to doubt his honesty). \ عَلَى حِدَة \ private: (only in the phrase in private) privately; where nobody can hear except those concerned: May I speak to you in private?. separate: not joined or shared; apart: Keep the new milk separate from the old. \ عَلَى حَقّ (مُحِقّ)‏ \ be in the right: not be at fault: Although they said she’d made a mistake, they discovered she was in the right. \ عَلَى حِين غِرَّة \ all of a sudden: in a sudden manner. suddenly: in a sudden manner: The door opened suddenly. \ عَلَى خَطَأ \ in the wrong: mistaken (in one’s judgement, behaviour etc.). \ عَلَى الدَّوام \ always: at all times. \ عَلَى رؤوس الأصابِع \ on tiptoe: on the tips of one’s toes: I can reach that if I stand on tiptoe. \ عَلَى الرّاجح \ likely: (usu. with very, most, more or quite) probably: She’s very likely right. \ عَلَى الرُّغْم مِن \ despite: in spite of: Despite his age, the old man walks several miles every day. for all: in spite of: For all his strength, he could not lift it. much as: although: Much as I admire him, I could not work with him. spite, in spite of: (of sth. that fails) even with: In spite of his efforts, he could not save her life, without regard to; not caring about (a difficulty) In spite of his illness, he attended the ceremony. \ عَلَى الرُّغْم مِنْ أَنَّ \ although: in spite of the fact that; (without a verb) in spite of being: Although (he was) ill, he went to work. \ عَلَى الرُّغْم من ذلك \ even so: in spite of that: He may be foolish; even so, you should help him. just the same: (showing one thing that is not the natural result of another) in spite of this: He’s a thief, but I like him just the same. nevertheless: in spite of that: I told him it would be dangerous, but nevertheless he did it. still: in spite of that: We rarely win; but still, we enjoy playing. \ عَلَى سَبيل المِثال \ for instance: as an example: He’s often late. Yesterday, for instance, he came home after midnight. \ عَلَى السَّطح كلِّه \ over: (esp. with all) across a surface: The table was wet all over. He rubbed it over with a dry cloth. \ عَلَى سَوِيَّة \ level: equal in height or position: His eyes were level with my shoulder. I soon drew level with the leading runner. \ عَلَى سَوِيَّة \ flush: exactly on a level with; not sticking out from; meeting exactly at the edges: The door is flush with the wall when it is closed. \ See Also مستوى (مُسْتَوًى)‏ \ عَلَى سَوِيَّة واحدة \ even: equal: The table legs were not of even length. He shared the money evenly among them. \ عَلَى شاكِلَة \ like: the same as: What is he like (in appearance and character)? He’s just like his father., What does it feel (or look or taste or smell or sound) like?. in the same way as:: He swims like a fish. \ عَلَى شَرْط \ provide (that), also providing (that): if; on condition that: I’ll go, provided (that) you’ll go too. \ عَلَى شَفَا \ on the brink of: close to (sth. dangerous or exciting): on the brink of war. on the point of doing sth.: starting to do sth.: I was on the point of telephoning you, when I got your letter. on one’s last legs: (of a person or thing) not expected to last much longer; worn out; almost in ruins: That company is on its last legs. on the verge of: close to: She was on the verge of tears. \ See Also شفير (الموت أو الإفلاس، إلخ)، عَلى وَشْك \ عَلَى صَهْوَةِ الجَوَاد \ on horseback: on a horse: He travelled on horseback. \ عَلَى ضِغْن \ grudgingly: unwillingly. \ See Also على غير رَغْبَة \ عَلَى طُولِ \ along: following the line of: He ran along the road. down: along (without regard to level): We raced down the street. My friend lives just down the road. \ عَلَى ظَهْر \ on deck: on an uncovered deck, in the open air. \ See Also سَطْح السفينة \ عَلَى ظَهْر الحِصان \ on horseback: on a horse: He travelled on horseback. \ عَلَى ظَهْر السَّفينة \ on board: on (or on to) a ship or aeroplane: There are 70 men on board. Can I go on board the aircraft?. \ عَلَى ظَهْر الصَّفْحَة \ overleaf: on the back of the page: Please fill in this paper, and sign your name overleaf. \ عَلَى عَرْض \ across: over; from one side to the other of: He ran across the street. There is a bridge across the stream. \ عَلَى العَكْس \ on the contrary: (expressing disagreement) the opposite is true: It’s not worn out - on the contrary, it’s quite new. \ عَلَى عِلْم بِـ \ familiar with: knowing; accustomed to: I’m not familiar with English law. \ عَلَى عُلُوّ \ high: (in compounds) to the height of: The grass was waist-high. \ عَلَى الغالِب \ probably: almost certainly; with little doubt: You’re probably right. \ عَلَى غَيْر انتظار \ surprisingly: unexpectedly: a surprisingly good result. \ عَلَى غَيْر رَغْبَة \ grudgingly: unwillingly. \ عَلَى غَيْر هُدًى \ adrift: (of boats) loose; floating about with no control: Our ship was wrecked and we were left adrift in a small boat on the ocean. \ عَلَى فَتَرات مُنْتَظِمة \ periodically: from time to time. \ عَلَى فَرض أنّ \ (conj.) supposing: if: Supposing he’s late, shall we wait for him? Even supposing the lorry comes, it will still be too late. \ عَلَى الفِطْرة \ na]ve: too simple to be sensible; lacking wisdom and experience: a na]ve question; a na]ve young girl. \ عَلَى فِكْرَة \ by the way: used to show that the speaker is about to change the subject: Thank you for your help. By the way, would you like to come to our party next week?. \ عَلَى الفَوْر \ directly: at once: He arrived directly after me. instantly: at once. off-hand: without thought or preparation: I can’t say off-hand what it cost, but it was over $1000. \ عَلَى قافية واحدة \ rhyme: (of word endings) to have the same sound: ‘Consideration’ rhymes with ‘nation’, ‘Port’ rhymes with ‘thought’. ‘Pleasure’ rhymes with ‘measure’ but not with ‘pressure’. \ عَلَى قَدْر \ according to: in the proper way for; depending on: Each man was paid according to his skill. \ عَلَى قَدَم وَسَاق \ in full swing: (of an activity) at its highest point; very busy: The party was in full swing when I arrived. \ عَلَى قَيْد الحَيَاة \ alive: living: He was buried alive when part of a cliff fell on him. \ عَلَى كُلّ حال \ at any rate: at least; in any case: He wasn’t there; at any rate, I don’t think he was. I may not succeed; but I’ll try, at any rate. \ عَلَى مَا يَبْدُو \ apparently: it seems (from what people say): I thought she was 15, but apparently is older. \ عَلَى ما يَصِل إليه عِلْمي \ to the best of my knowledge: as far as I know: To the best of my knowledge, my son has never met her. \ See Also على مَبْلَغ علمي \ عَلَى المَدَى الطَّويل \ in the long run: after a period of time; in the end: It’ll be cheaper in the long run to buy good quality shoes. \ عَلَى مسؤوليَّته الشخصيّة \ at one’s own risk: agreeing that any troube will be one’s own fault: The bridge is unsafe but you can cross it at your own risk. \ عَلَى مسافة قريبة مِن \ off: a short distance from: an island off the English coast. \ عَلَى مُسْتَوًى \ level: equal in height or position: His eyes were level with my shoulder. \ عَلَى مِصْرَاعَيْه (فَتَحَ الباب)‏ \ wide: (with open) fully: open the door wide. Leave it wide open. \ عَلَى نَحْو مماثِل \ similarly: in the same way: They were similarly dressed. \ عَلَى نَسَق \ on the lines of: in the general form of: We’re planning some sports on the lines of the Olympic Games, but for schoolboys only. \ عَلَى نَفْس الوَتيرة \ even: (of movement) regular; steady: Her heart was not beating evenly. \ عَلَى نَوبات \ fits and starts: in short bursts; starting and stopping: The engine only goes in fits and starts. \ See Also فترات \ عَلَى هذا المُعَدَّل \ at that rate: if those conditions continue: He keeps stopping for a rest; at that rate, he won’t finish the job today. \ عَلَى هذا النَّحْو \ so: in this way; in that way: Don’t shout so!. thus: in this way. \ عَلَى الهَوَاء \ on the air: being sent out on the radio or television. \ عَلَى وَتِيرَة واحدة \ monotonous: (of a voice, a job, a way of life, etc.) dull, never changing and therefore uninteresting. \ عَلَى وَجْهٍ \ unusually: (with an adj.) very; strangely: It is unusually cold in here today. \ See Also بشكل غير عاديّ \ عَلَى وَجْهِ التَّقْريب \ roughly: (with numbers and amounts) not exactly; about: roughly 50 trees; roughly a mile away. \ عَلَى وَجْهِ الخُصُوص \ particularly: especially: a particularly nasty smell. \ عَلَى الوَجهِ الصحيح \ duly: properly; as expected: The bill was duly paid. The train duly arrived. \ عَلَى وَجْهِ العُمُوم \ in general: in most cases: Men in general are taller than women. \ عَلَى وَجْهٍ ما \ somehow: in some way or other, by some means or other: I’ll pay for it somehow, even if I have to ask someone to lend me the money. \ عَلَى وَجْهٍ مُسْتَهْجَن \ oddly: strangely: She behaved very oddly last night. \ عَلَى مِقْدار عِلْمي \ for all I know: as far as I know: For all I know, you may have stolen this. \ عَلَى مَقْرُبةٍ \ near: close to, in position: His house is near my own. \ عَلَى مَقرُبة مِن \ about: around; near There’s a lot of illness about. I went out early, when no one was about (when no one else was out). \ عَلَى مَهْل \ leisurely: without haste: He likes a leisurely walk in the evening. \ عَلَى نَحْو أسوأ \ worse: more bad; more badly: Murder is worse than stealing. It is a worse crime. You write even worse than I do. \ عَلَى نَحْوٍ أَفْضَل \ better, well, best: in a better way: He drives better than I do. \ عَلَى نَحْو تامّ \ strictly: exactly: Strictly speaking (If I tell you the exact truth) this ticket is out of date; but I’ll let you travel with it. \ See Also كامل (كامِل)‏ \ عَلَى نَحْو خَطير \ badly: seriously: He was badly wounded. \ عَلَى نَحْو رَخْو \ loosely: in a loose way: a loosely tied knot. \ See Also غير مُحْكَم \ عَلَى نَحْو رَدِيء \ badly: in a bad manner: badly dressed; badly made. \ عَلَى نَحْو صارم \ strictly: very firmly: Smoking in this cinema is strictly forbidden. \ See Also دَقيق \ عَلَى نَحْو صَحيح \ right: correctly: You guessed right. \ عَلَى نَحْو صَحيح \ rightly: justly; correctly: You acted rightly. \ See Also ملائم (مُلائم)‏ \ عَلَى نَحْوٍ كَامِل \ absolutely: without conditions: You must agree absolutely and not to try to change matters later. \ عَلَى نَحو مألوف \ ordinarily: usually. \ عَلَى نَحْو مُرْضٍ \ well: (the adv. form of the adj. good; see better, best) in a good and pleasing way: Well done! You played very well. \ عَلَى نَحْو مُلحّ \ badly: (with need, want) very much: They need money badly. \ عَلَى وَشْك \ on the point of doing sth.: starting to do sth.: I was on the point of telephoning you, when I got your letter. \ عَلَى وَشْك أَنْ \ be about to do sth.: to be ready to do it; be just going to do it: I was about to go when he arrived. on the verge of: close to: She was on the verge of tears. \ عَلَى يَد (مِن قِبَل)‏ \ by: (showing who or what did sth.): He was bitten by a dog. \ عَلَى اليدين والرِّجلين \ on all fours: on hands and knees: She went down on all fours to look for the needle.

   a. (avec les mains) to hold

• la clé qu'il tient à la main the key that he's holding

• la clé qu'il tient dans sa main the key that he's holding

• il tient son fils par la main he's holding his son's hand

• tenir la porte à qn to hold the door open for sb

   b. ( = maintenir dans un certain état) to keep

• tenir les yeux ouverts to keep one's eyes open

• le café le tient éveillé coffee keeps him awake

• tenir qch en place to keep sth in place

• tenir une note (Music) to hold a note

   c. ( = gérer) [+ hôtel, magasin, comptes, maison, ménage] to keep

   d. ( = détenir) to have

• si je le tenais ! just let me get my hands on him!

• nous le tenons we've got him

• parfait, je tiens mon article great, now I have my article

• qu'est-ce qu'il tient ! (inf) ( = il est ivre) he's plastered (inf!) ; ( = il est idiot) he's such an idiot!

• en tenir pour qn (inf) ( = l'aimer) to have a crush on sb (inf)

   e. ( = contrôler) [+ enfant, classe] to have under control

   f. ( = organiser) [+ séance, réunion, conférence] to hold

   g. ( = occuper) [+ place, largeur] to take up ; [+ rôle] to have ; [+ emploi] to hold

• ça tient trop de place it takes up too much room

• il tenait sa droite [conducteur] he was keeping to the right

• elle a bien tenu son rôle de chef she was a good manager

• elle tient le rôle d'Ophélie she plays the role of Ophelia

   h. ( = contenir) [récipient] to hold

   i. ( = résister à) tenir l'alcool (inf) to be able to hold one's drink

• tenir le coup [personne] to survive ; [chose] to last

• avec tout ce travail, est-ce qu'il pourra tenir le coup ? with all that work will he be able to cope?

   j. ( = respecter) [+ promesse, pari, planning] to keep to

• tenir le rythme to keep up the pace

   k. (locutions)

► tenir qn/qch pour ( = considérer comme) to regard sb/sth as

• je le tenais pour un imbécile I regarded him as an idiot

• elle le tient pour responsable de l'accident she holds him responsible for the accident► tenir qch de qn to get sth from sb

• il tient cela de son père he gets that from his father► tiens ! (en donnant) here you are!

• tiens, voilà mon frère ! oh, there's my brother!

• tiens, tiens ! well, well!

2. <

   a. ( = rester en place) [objet fixe, nœud, clou] to hold ; [objets empilés, échafaudage] to stay up

• ce chapeau ne tient pas sur ma tête this hat won't stay on my head

• la branche est cassée mais elle tient encore the branch is broken but it's still attached to the tree

• il tient bien sur ses jambes he's very steady on his legs

   b. ( = durer) [accord, beau temps, coiffure] to hold ; [couleur] to be fast ; [mariage, fleurs] to last

• ça tient toujours, notre pique-nique ? (inf) is our picnic still on?

• il n'y a pas de match qui tienne there's no question of going to any match

   c. ( = résister) to hold out

• tenir bon to hold out

• il fait trop chaud, on ne tient plus ici it's too hot - we can't stand it here any longer

   d. ( = pouvoir être contenu) to fit ( dans into)

• ils ne tiendront pas dans la voiture they won't fit into the car

• à cette table, on peut tenir à huit this table can seat eight

• son discours tient en quelques pages his speech is just a few pages long

3. <

• tenir à ( = être attaché à) [+ réputation, opinion de qn] to care about ; [+ objet, personne] to be fond of ; ( = avoir pour cause) to be due to

• il ne tenait plus à la vie he had lost his will to live

• tu veux aller au cinéma ? -- je n'y tiens pas do you want to go to the cinema? -- not particularly

• il tient beaucoup à vous connaître he's very anxious to meet you

• elle tenait absolument à parler she insisted on speaking

• il tient à ce que nous sachions... he is anxious that we should know...

• tu viens avec nous ? -- si tu y tiens are you coming with us? -- if you really want me to

• ça tient au climat it's because of the climate

• son succès tient à peu de chose his success hangs on very little

• à quoi ça tient ? why is that?

• tenir de ( = ressembler à) [+ parent] to take after

• il tient de son père he takes after his father

• il a de qui tenir it runs in the family

4. <

( = dépendre de) to depend

• il ne tient qu'à vous de décider it's up to you to decide

► qu'à cela ne tienne ! no problem!

5. <

   a. (avec les mains) to hold

• il se tenait le ventre de douleur he was holding his stomach in pain

• se tenir à qch to hold onto sth

• ils se tenaient par la main they were holding hands

• ils se tenaient par la taille they had their arms round each other's waists

   b. ( = être dans une position) se tenir debout to be standing up

• tiens-toi droit (debout) stand up straight ; (assis) sit up straight

• redresse-toi, tu te tiens mal stand up straight, you're slouching

• tenez-vous prêts à partir be ready to leave

• elle se tenait à sa fenêtre she was standing at her window

   c. ( = se conduire) to behave

• il ne sait pas se tenir he doesn't know how to behave

• se tenir tranquille to be quiet

• tiens-toi tranquille keep still

• se tenir mal (à table) to have bad table manners ; (en société) to behave badly

• il n'a qu'à bien se tenir ! he'd better behave himself!

   d. ( = avoir lieu) [conférence, réunion] to be held ; [festival] to take place

   e. ( = être cohérent) [raisonnement] to hold together

• tout se tient it's all connected

   f. (locutions)

► tiens-toi bien ! wait till you hear the next bit!

• tu sais combien elle a gagné ? tiens-toi bien: 3 millions ! do you know how much she won? you won't believe it! - 3 million!► s'en tenir à ( = se limiter à) to confine o.s. to ; ( = se satisfaire de) to content o.s. with

• nous nous en tiendrons là pour aujourd'hui we'll leave it at that for today

• il aimerait savoir à quoi s'en tenir he'd like to know where he stands

• je sais à quoi m'en tenir sur son compte I know the sort of man he is► se tenir pour ( = se considérer comme)

il se tient pour responsable he holds himself responsible

• tenez-vous-le pour dit ! (avertissement) you've been warned!

* * *

təniʀ
1.

verbe transitif

1) ( serrer) to hold

tiens-moi ça — hold this (for me)

tenir quelqu'un par la main — to hold somebody's hand

tenir la rampe — to hold onto the banisters

tiens! — ( voici) here you are!; ( écoute-moi) look!

tiens! c'est pour toi — ( voici un cadeau) here, it's for you; ( voici une gifle) take that!

si je le tenais! — if I could get my hands on him!

bien tenir — to hold on to

2) ( avoir sous son contrôle) to keep [somebody] under control

il nous tient — he's got a hold on us

3) Armée to hold

4) ( avoir attrapé) to hold

je te tiens! — I've caught ou got you!

pendant que je te tiens — fig whilst I've got you

tenir une grippe — (colloq) to have flu GB ou the flu US

5) ( posséder) to have [renseignements]

de qui tenez-vous ce renseignement? — where did you get that information?

elle tient ses bijoux de sa mère — she inherited her jewels from her mother

6) ( avoir la charge de) to hold [emploi]; to run [boutique, maison, journal]; to be in charge of [standard, bureau d'accueil]

bien tenir sa maison — to keep one's house spick and span

tenir la comptabilité — to keep the books

7) ( garder) to keep

tenir quelqu'un occupé — to keep somebody busy

‘tenir hors de portée des enfants’ — ‘keep out of reach of children’

tenir une note — Musique to hold a note

8) ( conserver une position)

tenir sa tête droite — to hold one's head upright

tenir les yeux baissés — to keep one's eyes lowered

9) ( maintenir en place) to hold down [chargement]; to hold up [pantalon, chaussettes]

tenir la porte fermée avec son pied — to hold the door shut with one's foot

10) ( ne pas s'écarter de) to keep to [trajectoire]

11) ( résister)

tenir la mer — [navire] to be seaworthy

tenir le coup — (physiquement, moralement) to hold out

tenir le choc — [matériel] to withstand the impact; [personne] to stand the strain

12) ( contenir) to hold [quantité, litres]

13) ( occuper) [objet] to take up [espace, volume]; [personne] to hold [rôle, position]

14) ( considérer)

tenir quelqu'un/quelque chose pour responsable — to hold somebody/something responsible

je tiens mes renseignements pour exacts — I consider my information to be correct

tenir quelqu'un pour mort — to give somebody up for dead

tenir pour certain que — to regard it as certain that

2.

tenir à verbe transitif indirect

1) ( avoir de l'attachement pour)

tenir à — to be fond of, to like

tenir à sa réputation/à la vie — to value one's reputation/one's life

il tient à son argent — he can't bear to be parted from his money

tenir à son indépendance — to like one's independence

2) ( vouloir)

j'y tiens — I insist

tenir à faire — to want to do

je ne tiens pas à faire — I'd rather not do

tenir à ce que quelqu'un fasse — to insist that somebody should do

je ne tiens pas à ce qu'elle y aille — I'd rather she didn't go

je tiens beaucoup à la revoir — I'd really like to see her again

nous tenons absolument à vous avoir à dîner bientôt — you really must come to dinner soon

3) ( être dû à)

tenir à — to be due to

3.

tenir de verbe transitif indirect

1) ( ressembler à)

tenir de — to take after

il a de qui tenir — (colloq) you can (just) see who he takes after ou where he gets it from

de qui peut-elle tenir pour être si méchante? — where does she get her nastiness from?

2) ( s'apparenter à)

tenir de — to border on

4.

verbe intransitif

1) ( rester en place) [attache, corde, étagère, barrage, soufflé] to hold; [timbre, colle, sparadrap] to stick (à to); [assemblage, bandage] to stay in place; [coiffure] to stay tidy; [mise en plis] to stay in

ces chaussures ne me tiennent pas aux pieds — these shoes won't stay on my feet

2) ( résister)

tenir (bon) — ( surmonter les conditions) to hold out; ( refuser de capituler) gén to hang on; Armée to hold out; ( ne pas relâcher sa prise) [personne] to hang on

tenir sans cigarettes jusqu'à la fin de la réunion — to last without cigarettes till the end of the meeting

j'espère que ma voiture va tenir (bon) — I hope my car will last out

il n'y a pas de télévision qui tienne — (colloq) there's no question of watching television

3) ( durer)

le plan tient-il toujours? — is the plan still on?

la neige tient — the snow is settling

les fleurs n'ont pas tenu — the flowers didn't last long

la couleur n'a pas tenu — the colour [BrE] has faded

4) ( rester valable) [théorie, argument] to hold good; [alibi] to stand up

5) ( être contenu) [personnes, objets] to fit ( dans into)

faire tenir six personnes dans une voiture — to fit six people into a car

mon article tient en trois pages — my article takes up only three pages

tenir en hauteur/largeur/longueur — to be short enough/narrow enough/short enough ( dans for)

tenir en hauteur dans une pièce — to fit into a room (heightwise)

ne pas tenir en hauteur — to be too tall ( dans for)

5.

se tenir verbe pronominal

1) ( soi-même) to hold

se tenir la tête de douleur — to hold one's head in pain

2) ( l'un l'autre)

se tenir par le bras — to be arm in arm

ils se tenaient par la taille — they had their arms around each other's waists

se tenir par la main — to hold hands

3) ( s'accrocher) to hold on

se tenir par les pieds — to hold on with one's feet

tiens-toi or tenez-vous bien — (colloq) fig prepare yourself for a shock

4) ( demeurer)

se tenir accroupi/allongé — to be squatting/stretched out

se tenir sans bouger — to stay still

se tenir prêt — to be ready

se tenir tranquille — ( immobile) to keep still; ( silencieux) to keep quiet; ( dans la légalité) to behave oneself

se tenir immobile — ( debout) to stand still

5) ( se comporter) to behave

savoir se tenir — to know how to behave

tiens-toi bien! — behave yourself!

6) ( avoir une posture)

se tenir bien/mal — to have (a) good posture/(a) bad posture

tiens-toi droit! — ( debout) stand up straight!; ( assis) sit straight!

7) ( avoir lieu) [manifestation, exposition] to be held

8) ( être liés) [événements] to fit together

9) ( être cohérent) [raisonnement, œuvre] to hold together

ça se tient — it makes sense

10) ( se considérer)

se tenir pour — to consider oneself to be

tenez-vous le pour dit! — (colloq) I don't want to have to tell you again!

11) ( être fidèle)

s'en tenir à — to stand by

12) ( se limiter)

s'en tenir à — to keep to

s'en tenir aux ordres — to stick to orders

s'en tenir là — to leave it there

ne pas savoir à quoi s'en tenir avec — not to know what to make of

6.

verbe impersonnel

il ne tient qu'à toi de partir — it's up to you to decide whether to leave

qu'à cela ne tienne! — never mind!

7.

tiens exclamation oh!

tiens (donc), vous voilà! — oh, there you are!

tiens, vous croyez? — do you think so?

tiens donc! — iron fancy that!

tiens tiens (tiens)! — well, well!

* * *

t(ə)niʀ

1. vt

1) (avec sa main) to hold

Tu peux tenir la lampe, s'il te plaît? — Can you hold the torch, please?

Il tenait un enfant par la main. — He was holding a child by the hand.

2) (= gérer) [magasin, hôtel] to run

tenir les comptes — to keep the books

tenir un rôle — to play a part

3) [promesse, engagement] to keep

4) (= considérer)

tenir qn pour — to take sb for

5) (= occuper)

tenir de la place — to take up space

6) (= résister à)

tenir l'alcool — to be able to hold a drink

tenir le coup — to hold out

7) (= garder, maintenir)

tenir sa langue fig — to hold one's tongue

tenir au chaud — to keep hot

tenir à l'abri — to keep under cover

tenir prêt — to have ready

Tenez votre chien en laisse. — Keep your dog on the lead.

8) (= avoir reçu)

tenir qch de qn [histoire] — to have heard sth from sb, [qualité, défaut] to have inherited sth from sb, to have got sth from sb

2. vi

1) (= ne pas se défaire) [noeud, joint] to hold

2) (= ne pas disparaître) [neige, gel] to last

3) (= résister) (= survivre) to survive

tenir bon — to stand fast

tenir 3 jours — to last 3 days

4) (en donnant quelque chose)

tiens, voilà le stylo! — there's the pen!

5) (exclamatif)

Tiens, c'est Alain là-bas! — Look, that's Alain over there!

tiens? (surprise) — really?

6)

tenir à [ami, objet] — to be attached to, to care for

Il tient beaucoup à elle. — He's very attached to her., (= avoir pour cause) to be due to, to stem from, (= dépendre de)

ça ne tient qu'à lui — it is entirely up to him

tenir à faire — to really want to do, to be determined to do

Elle tient à y aller. — She's determined to go.

tenir à ce que qn fasse qch — to really want sb to do sth

7)

tenir de (= relever de) — to partake of, (= ressembler à) to take after

Il tient de son père. — He takes after his father.

* * *

tenir verb table: venir

A vtr

1 ( serrer) to hold [objet, personne, animal]; tiens-moi ça hold this (for me); tiens-moi hold me; tiens-moi la main hold my hand; tenir qn par la main/le bras to hold sb's hand/arm; tenir un enfant contre sa poitrine to hold a child to one's breast; tenir qch à la main/dans ses mains to hold sth in one's hand/in one's hands; tenir un couteau par le manche to hold a knife by the handle; tenir la rampe to hold onto the banister; tenir son chien to hold one's dog; tenir fermement qch to hold sth firmly ou tightly; tenir qch serré sous le bras to hold sth firmly ou tightly under one's arm; tiens!, tenez! ( voici) here you are!; ( écoutez-moi) look!; tiens! c'est pour toi ( voici un cadeau) here, it's for you; ( voici une gifle) take that!; si je le tenais! if I could get or lay my hands on him!; bien tenir to hold on to [portefeuille, chien]; faire tenir une lettre/un message à qn† to dispatch a letter/a message to sb; ⇒ deux;

2 ( avoir sous son contrôle) to keep [sb] under control [élèves, enfants]; tenir sa classe to control one's class well; tenir son cheval Équit to keep one's horse well in hand; il nous tient he's got a hold on us;

3 Mil (occuper, contrôler) to hold [colline, pont, ville]; tenir la première place Sport to be in first place;

4 ( avoir attrapé) to hold [animal, coupable, meurtrier]; je te tiens! I've caught ou got you!; pendant que je te tiens fig whilst I've got you; tenir une grippe○ to have flu GB ou the flu US;

5 ( posséder) to have [preuves, renseignements]; il tient le sujet de son prochain roman he's got the subject of his next novel; tenir qch de qn to get sth from sb [trait physique, caractère, information]; il tient ses yeux bleus de son père he gets his blue eyes from his father; il tient ses informations d'un ami he got his information from a friend; je tiens cette nouvelle de Paul I got this news from Paul; d'où or de qui tenez-vous ce renseignement? where did you get that information?; d'où tenez-vous cette certitude? what makes you so certain?; elle tient ses bijoux de sa mère she inherited her jewels from her mother;

6 ( avoir la charge de) to hold [emploi, poste, assemblée]; to run [café, boutique, maison, journal, municipalité]; to be in charge of, to be on duty on [standard, bureau d'accueil]; bien tenir sa maison to keep one's house spick and span; tenir la comptabilité to keep the books;

7 ( garder) to keep; tenir qn occupé to keep sb busy; tenir sa chambre propre to keep one's room tidy; tenir les aliments au frais to keep food in a cool place; ‘tenir hors de portée des enfants’ ‘keep out of reach of children’; tenir un accord secret to keep an agreement secret; tenir la porte fermée to keep the door closed; tenir une note Mus to hold a note; tenir un article† to carry an item; tenir les cours† Fin to maintain prices;

8 ( conserver une position) tenir sa tête droite/immobile to hold one's head upright/still; tenir les bras écartés to hold one's arms apart; tenir les mains/les bras en l'air to hold up one's hands/one's arms; tenir les yeux ouverts/baissés to keep one's eyes open/lowered; tenir les poings serrés to keep one's fists clenched;

9 ( maintenir en place) to hold down [chargement]; to hold up [pantalon, chaussettes]; tenir la porte fermée avec son pied to hold the door shut with one's foot;

10 ( ne pas s'écarter de) to keep to [trajectoire]; to keep [rythme] ; tenir sa droite/sa gauche to keep to the right/to the left; tenir le large to stay in open waters;

11 ( résister) ne pas tenir la comparaison not to bear comparison; tenir l'eau to be waterproof; tenir la mer [navire] to be seaworthy; tenir le coup (physiquement, moralement) to hold out; tenir le choc lit [matériel, appareil, verre] to withstand the impact; [personne] to stand the strain;

12 ( contenir) to hold [quantité]; tenir vingt litres to hold twenty litres^GB; ma voiture ne tient que deux personnes there's room for only two people in my car;

13 ( occuper) [objet] to take up [espace, place, volume]; [personne] to hold [rôle, position]; tenir peu de place not to take up much room; tenir la place de deux personnes to take up as much room as two people; le monument tient le centre de la place the monument stands in the centre^GB of the square;

14 ( considérer) tenir qch pour sacré to hold sth sacred; tenir qn pour responsable to hold sb responsible; je le tiens pour un lâche I consider him (to be) a coward; je tiens mes renseignements pour exacts I consider my information to be correct; tenir qn pour mort to give sb up for dead; tenir pour certain que to regard it as certain that.

B tenir à vtr ind

1 ( avoir de l'attachement pour) tenir à to be fond of, to like [personne, objet]; tenir à sa réputation/à la vie to value one's reputation/one's life; il tient à son argent he can't bear to be parted from his money; tenir à son indépendance to like one's independence; tenir au corps [aliment] to be nourishing;

2 ( vouloir) j'y tiens I insist; si vous y tenez if you insist; tenir à faire to want to do; elle tient à vous parler she insists on speaking to you; je ne tiens pas à faire I'd rather not do; tenir à ce que qn fasse to insist that sb should do; je ne tiens pas à ce qu'elle fasse I'd rather she didn't do; je tiens beaucoup à la revoir I'd really like to see her again; il tient à rentrer avant la nuit he's anxious to get home before dark; nous tenons absolument à vous avoir à dîner bientôt you really must come to dinner soon; ne reste pas si tu n'y tiens pas don't stay if you don't want to;

3 ( être dû à) tenir à to be due to; la mauvaise récolte tient au manque d'eau the poor harvest is due to a lack of water; tes erreurs tiennent à ton inexpérience your mistakes are due to your lack of experience.

C tenir de vtr ind

1 ( ressembler à) tenir de to take after; tenir de sa mère/son père to take after one's mother/one's father; il a de qui tenir○ you can (just) see who he takes after ou where he gets it from; de qui peut-elle tenir pour être si méchante? where does she get her nastiness from?;

2 ( s'apparenter à) tenir de to border on; tenir du délire to border on madness.

D vi

1 ( rester en place) [clou, attache, corde, étagère, barrage, soufflé] to hold; [timbre, colle, sparadrap] to stick; [assemblage, bandage] to stay in place; [coiffure] to stay tidy; [mise en plis] to stay in; tenir au mur avec de la colle/des épingles ( adhérer) to stick to the wall with glue/pins; tenir sur une jambe/un pied to stand on one leg/one foot; ces chaussures ne me tiennent pas aux pieds these shoes won't stay on my feet;

2 ( résister) tenir (bon) ( surmonter les conditions) [personne, matériel] to hold out; ( refuser de capituler) gén to hang on, to hold out; Mil to hold out; ( ne pas relâcher sa prise) [personne] to hang on; tenir sans cigarettes jusqu'à la fin de la réunion to last ou go without cigarettes till the end of the meeting; tenir jusqu'à la fin de la réunion to hold out until the end of the meeting; tenir économiquement to hold ou last out in economic terms; j'espère que ma voiture va tenir (bon) I hope my car will last out; on a voulu me renvoyer mais j'ai tenu (bon) they wanted to fire me but I hung on; je ne peux plus (y) tenir I can't stand it any longer; il n'y a pas de télévision qui tienne○ there's no question of watching television;

3 ( durer) le plan tient-il toujours? is the plan still on?; leur mariage tient encore their marriage is still holding together; le soleil n'a pas tenu longtemps the sun didn't last long; la neige tient/ne tient pas the snow is settling/is not settling; les fleurs n'ont pas tenu the flowers didn't last long; la couleur n'a pas tenu the colour^GB has faded; tenir au lavage [couleur] not to run in the wash GB ou laundry US;

4 ( rester valable) [théorie, argument] to hold good; ton alibi ne tient plus your alibi no longer stands up; ‘ça tient toujours pour demain?’ ‘is it still all right for tomorrow?’;

5 ( être contenu) [personnes, véhicule, meubles, objets] to fit (dans into); mes vêtements tiendront dans une valise my clothes will fit into one suitcase; tenir à six dans une voiture to fit six into a car; faire tenir six personnes dans une voiture to fit six people into a car; mon article tient en trois pages my article takes up only three pages; tenir en hauteur/largeur/longueur to be short enough/narrow enough/short enough (dans for); tenir en hauteur dans une pièce to fit into a room (heightwise); ne pas tenir en hauteur/largeur/longeur to be too tall/wide/long (dans for); ne pas tenir en largeur dans un espace to be too wide for a space.

E se tenir vpr

1 ( soi-même) [personne] to hold [tête, ventre, bras]; se tenir la tête de douleur to hold one's head in pain; se tenir la tête à deux mains to hold one's head in one's hands;

2 ( l'un l'autre) se tenir par le bras [personnes] to be arm in arm; ils se tenaient par la taille they had their arms around each other's waists; se tenir par la main [personnes] to hold hands;

3 ( s'accrocher) to hold on; se tenir par les pieds to hold on with one's feet; se tenir à une branche/à la rampe to hold onto a branch/onto the banisters; se tenir d'une main à qch to hold onto sth with one hand; tiens-toi or tenez-vous bien○ fig prepare yourself for a shock;

4 ( demeurer) se tenir accroupi/allongé/penché/courbé/à genoux to be squatting/stretched out/leaning/bent over/kneeling; se tenir au milieu/à la porte ( debout) to be standing in the middle/at the door; se tenir caché/sans bouger/au chaud to stay hidden/still/in the warm; se tenir prêt to be ready; se tenir tranquille ( immobile) to keep still; ( silencieux) to keep quiet; ( dans la légalité) to behave oneself; se tenir immobile ( debout) to stand still;

5 ( se comporter) to behave; se tenir bien/mal to behave well/badly; savoir se tenir to know how to behave; tiens-toi bien! behave yourself!;

6 ( avoir une posture) se tenir droit or bien/mal to have (a) good posture/(a) bad posture; tiens-toi droit! ( debout) stand up straight!; ( assis) sit straight!;

7 ( avoir lieu) [manifestation, exposition] to be held; la réunion se tiendra au Caire the meeting will be held in Cairo;

8 ( être liés) [événements] to fit together;

9 ( être cohérent) [exposé, raisonnement, œuvre] to hold together; il n'y a rien à dire, tout se tient there's nothing to be said, it all holds together; ça se tient it makes sense;

10 ( se considérer) se tenir pour to consider oneself to be; je me tiens pour satisfait des résultats I consider myself to be satisfied with the results; tenez-vous le pour dit○! I don't want to have to tell you again!;

11 ( être fidèle) s'en tenir à to stand by; je m'en tiendrai à ma promesse/notre accord/leur décision I will stand by my promise/our agreement/their decision;

12 ( se limiter) s'en tenir à to keep to; s'en tenir au minimum/au sujet to keep to a minimum/to the point; s'en tenir aux ordres to stick to orders; s'en tenir là to leave it there; ne pas savoir à quoi s'en tenir avec qn/qch not to know what to make of sb/sth.

F v impers il ne tient qu'à toi de partir it's up to you to decide whether to leave; qu'à cela ne tienne! never mind!

G tiens excl oh!; tiens (donc), vous voilà! oh, there you are!; tiens, je parie que c'est ta mère! oh! I bet it's your mother; tiens, vous croyez? do you think so?; tiens, tu es invité aussi? oh! so you've been invited as well?; tiens, tu n'étais pas au courant? didn't you know?; tiens donc! iron fancy that!; tiens tiens (tiens)! well, well!

Idiome

en tenir pour qn to have a crush on sb.

[tənir] verbe transitif

A.[AVOIR DANS LES MAINS]

1. [retenir] to hold (on to)

tenir la main de quelqu'un to hold somebody's hand

je tenais mal la bouteille et elle m'a échappé I wasn't holding the bottle tightly enough and it slipped

2. [manier] to hold

tu tiens mal ta raquette/ton arc you're not holding your racket/your bow properly

B.[CONSERVER]

1. [maintenir - dans une position] to hold, to keep ; [ - dans un état] to keep

enlève les vis qui tiennent le panneau undo the screws which hold the panel in place

tiens-lui la porte, il est chargé hold the door open for him, he's got his hands full

tenez-lui la tête hors de l'eau hold her head above the water

elle tient ses chiens attachés she keeps her dogs tied up

tenir chaud to keep warm

je veux une robe qui tienne chaud I'd like a warm dress

tenez-le prêt (à partir) make sure he's ready (to leave)

2. [garder - note] to hold

tenir l'accord to stay in tune

‘tenez votre droite’

a. [sur la route] ‘keep (to the) right’

b. [sur un Escalator] ‘keep to the right’

3. (vieilli) [conserver - dans un lieu] to keep

4. (Belgique) [collectionner] to collect

C.[POSSÉDER]

1. [avoir reçu]

tenir quelque chose de quelqu'un [par hérédité] to get something from somebody

les propriétés que je tenais de ma mère [par héritage] the properties I'd inherited from my mother

2. [avoir capturé] to have caught, to have got hold of

[avoir à sa merci] to have got

ah, ah, petit coquin, je te tiens! got you, you little devil!

si je tenais celui qui a défoncé ma portière! just let me get ou lay my hands on whoever smashed in my car door!

elle m'a tenu une heure avec ses histoires de divorce I had to listen to her going on about her divorce for a whole hour

pendant que je vous tiens (au téléphone), pourrais-je vous demander un service? since I'm speaking to you (on the phone), may I ask you a favour?

3. [détenir - indice, information, preuve] to have ; [ - contrat] to have, to have won ; [ - réponse, solution] to have (found) ou got

je crois que je tiens un scoop! I think I've got a scoop!

tenir quelque chose de [l'apprendre] to have (got) something from

il a eu des troubles psychologiques — de qui tenez-vous cela? he's had psychological problems — who told you that?

nous tenons de source sûre/soviétique que... we have it on good authority/we hear from Soviet sources that...

tenir quelque chose de [le tirer de]: je tiens mon autorité de l'État I derive my power from the state

qu'est-ce que je tiens comme rhume! (familier) I've got a stinking (UK) ou horrible cold!

elle en tient une couche! (familier) she's as thick as two short planks (UK), what a dumb bell! (US)

il en tient une bonne ce soir (familier) he's had a skinful (UK) ou he's three sheets to the wind tonight

qu'est-ce qu'il tient!

a. (familier) [il est stupide] what a twit (UK) ou blockhead!

b. [il est ivre] he's really plastered!

c. [il est enrhumé] he's got a stinking (UK) ou horrible cold!

4. [transmettre]

nous vous ferons tenir une copie des documents (soutenu) we will make sure you receive a copy of the documents

D.[CONTRÔLER, AVOIR LA RESPONSABILITÉ DE]

1. [avoir prise sur, dominer] to hold

quand la colère le tient, il peut être dangereux he can be dangerous when he's angry

la jalousie le tenait jealousy had him in its grip, he was gripped by jealousy

ce rhume me tient depuis deux semaines I've had this cold for two weeks

MILITAIRE to control

[avoir de l'autorité sur - classe, élève] to (keep under) control

2. [diriger, s'occuper de - commerce, maison, hôtel] to run ; [ - comptabilité, registre] to keep

tenir la caisse to be at the cash desk, to be the cashier

elle tient la rubrique artistique à "Madame" she has a regular Arts column in "Madame"

le soir, il tenait le bar at night he used to serve behind the bar

tenir la marque JEUX & SPORT to keep score

3. [donner - assemblée, conférence, séance] to hold, to have

le tribunal tiendra audience dans le nouveau bâtiment the court hearings will be held in the new building

4. [prononcer - discours] to give ; [ - raisonnement] to have ; [ - langage] to use

il me tint à peu près ce langage La Fontaine (allusion) here's roughly what he said to me

tenir des propos désobligeants/élogieux to make offensive/appreciative remarks

comment peux-tu tenir un tel raisonnement? how can you possibly think this way?

5. [astreint à]

être tenu à quelque chose: être tenu au secret professionnel to be bound by professional secrecy

nous sommes tenus à la discrétion we're obliged to be very discreet

je me sens tenu de la prévenir I feel morally obliged ou duty-bound to warn her

6. THÉÂTRE [rôle] to play, to have

tenir un rôle dans (figuré) to play a part in

7. ÉQUITATION [cheval] to keep in hand

E.[EXPRIME UNE MESURE]

1. [occuper] to take up (separable), to occupy

le fauteuil tient trop de place the armchair takes up too much room

tenir une place importante to have ou to hold an important place

2. [contenir] to hold

F.[ÊTRE CONSTANT DANS]

1. [résister à] (to be able) to take

il tient l'alcool he can take (especially UK) ou hold his drink

tenir le coup

a. (familier) [assemblage, vêtements] to hold out

b. [digue] to hold (out)

c. [personne] (to be able) to take it

le soir, je ne tiens pas le coup I can't take late nights

tenir la route [véhicule] to have good road-holding (UK), to hold the road well

ton raisonnement ne tient pas la route (figuré) your argument doesn't stand up to scrutiny

2. [respecter] to keep to, to stand by, to uphold

tenir une promesse to keep ou to fulfil a promise

[s'engager dans - pari]

je tiens la gageure ou le pari! I'll take up the challenge!

tenu!, je tiens! JEUX you're on!

G.[CONSIDÉRER] (soutenu) to hold, to consider

tenir quelqu'un/quelque chose pour to consider somebody/something to be, to look upon somebody/something as

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[tənir] verbe intransitif

1. [rester en position - attache] to hold ; [ - chignon] to stay up, to hold ; [ - bouton, trombone] to stay on ; [ - empilement, tas] to stay up

tenir en place to stay in place

mets du gel, tes cheveux tiendront mieux use gel, your hair'll hold its shape better

la porte du placard ne tient pas fermée the cupboard door won't stay shut

tout ça tient avec de la colle all this is held together with glue

le porridge vous tient au corps ou à l'estomac porridge keeps you going

faire tenir quelque chose avec de la colle/des clous to glue/to nail something into position

tenir à

a. [être fixé à] to be fixed on ou to

b. [être contigu à] to be next to

[personne]

il ne tient pas encore bien sur sa bicyclette/ses skis/ses jambes he's not very steady on his bike/his skis/his legs yet

je ne tiens plus sur mes jambes [de fatigue] I can hardly stand up any more

cet enfant ne tient pas sur sa chaise this child can't sit still ou is always fidgeting in his chair

elle ne tient pas en place she can't sit still

2. [résister - union] to last, to hold out ; [ - chaise, vêtements] to hold ou to last out ; [ - digue] to hold out ; [ - personne] to hold ou to last out

je ne tiens plus au soleil, je rentre I can't stand the sun any more, I'm going in

le cœur ne tiendra pas his heart won't take it

tes arguments ne tiendront pas longtemps face à la réalité your arguments won't hold for very long when faced with reality

tenir bon ou ferme

a. [s'agripper] to hold firm ou tight

b. [ne pas céder] to hold out

tenez bon, les secours arrivent hold ou hang on, help's on its way

il me refusait une augmentation, mais j'ai tenu bon he wouldn't give me a rise but I held out ou stood my ground

le dollar tient toujours bon the dollar is still holding firm

ne pas y tenir, ne (pas) pouvoir y tenir: n'y tenant plus, je l'appelai au téléphone unable to stand it any longer, I phoned him

ça sent si bon le chocolat, je ne vais pas pouvoir y tenir there's such a gorgeous smell of chocolate, I just won't be able to resist it

3. [durer, ne pas s'altérer - fleurs] to keep, to last ; [ - tissu] to last (well) ; [ - beau temps] to last, to hold out ; [ - bronzage] to last ; [ - neige] to settle, to stay

aucun parfum ne tient sur moi perfumes don't stay on me

4. [être valable, être d'actualité - offre, pari, rendez-vous] to stand ; [ - promesse] to hold

ça tient toujours pour demain? is it still on for tomorrow?

il n'y a pas de... qui tienne: il n'y a pas de congé qui tienne there's no question of having leave

il n'y a pas de "mais ma tante" qui tienne, tu vas te coucher! there's no "but Auntie" about it, off to bed with you!

5. [pouvoir être logé] to fit

le compte rendu tient en une page the report takes up one page

tenir en hauteur/largeur (dans) to fit vertically/widthwise (in)

on tient facilement à cinq dans la barque the boat sits five in comfort

son histoire tient en peu de mots his story can be summed up in a few words

6. (locution)

en tenir pour quelqu'un (familier) to have a crush on somebody

en tenir pour quelque chose

a. (familier) [aimer] to be hooked on something

b. [ne considérer que] to stick to something

elle en tient vraiment pour l'hypothèse de l'assassinat she seems convinced it was murder

tiens, tenez [en donnant quelque chose] here

tiens, tenez [pour attirer l'attention, pour insister]: tiens, le tonnerre gronde listen, it's thundering

tiens, rends-toi utile here, make yourself useful

tenez, je ne vous ferai même pas payer l'électricité look, I won't even charge you for the electricity

s'il est intéressé par le salaire? tiens, bien sûr que oui! is he interested in the salary? you bet he is!

tiens, tenez [exprime la surprise, l'incrédulité]: tiens, Bruno! que fais-tu ici? (hello) Bruno, what are you doing here?

tiens, je n'aurais jamais cru ça de lui well, well, I'd never have expected it of him

elle a refusé? tiens donc! (familier & ironique) she said no? you amaze me! ou surprise, surprise!

un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras (proverbe) a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (proverbe)

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tenir à verbe plus préposition

1. [être attaché à - personne] to care for, to be very fond of ; [ - objet] to be attached to ; [ - réputation] to care about ; [ - indépendance, liberté] to value

si tu tiens à la vie... if you value your life...

2. [vouloir]

tenir à faire quelque chose to be eager to do ou to be keen on doing something

je tiens à être présent à la signature du contrat I insist on being there when the contract is signed

tu veux lui parler? — je n'y tiens pas vraiment would you like to talk to him? — not really ou not particularly

tenir à ce que: je tiens à ce qu'ils aient une bonne éducation I'm most concerned that they should have a good education

tiens-tu à ce que cela se sache? do you really want it to become known?

je voudrais t'aider — je n'y tiens pas I'd like to help you — I'd rather you didn't

venez dîner, j'y tiens absolument! come and have dinner, I insist!

3. [résulter de] to stem ou to result from, to be due to, to be caused by

le bonheur tient parfois à peu de chose sometimes it's the little things that give people the most happiness

à quoi ça tient? (familier) what's the reason for it?, what's it due to?

qu'à cela ne tienne never mind, fear not (humoristique)

4. (tournure impersonnelle) [être du ressort de]

il ne tient qu'à toi de mettre fin à ce désordre it's entirely up to you to sort out this shambles

s'il ne tenait qu'à moi if it was up to me ou my decision

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tenir de verbe plus préposition

1. [ressembler à] to take after

ce chien tient à la fois de l'épagneul et du setter this dog is a sort of cross between a spaniel and a setter

elle est vraiment têtue/douée — elle a de qui tenir! she's so stubborn/gifted — it runs in the family!

2. [relever de]

sa guérison tient du miracle his recovery is something of a miracle

des propos qui tiennent de l'injure remarks verging on the insulting

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se tenir verbe pronominal (emploi réciproque)

ils marchaient en se tenant la main they were walking hand in hand

se tenir par le cou/la taille to have one's arms round each other's shoulders/waists

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se tenir verbe pronominal (emploi passif)

[se dérouler - conférence] to be held, to take place ; [ - festival, foire] to take place

le festival se tient en plusieurs endroits there are several venues for the festival

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se tenir verbe pronominal transitif

se tenir la tête à deux mains to hold ou to clutch one's head in one's hands

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se tenir verbe pronominal intransitif

1. [se retenir] to hold on (tight)

se tenir à

a. to hold on to

b. [fortement] to cling to, to clutch, to grip

2. [se trouver - en position debout] to stand, to be standing ; [ - en position assise] to sit, to be sitting ou seated

se tenir (légèrement) en retrait to stand back (slightly)

se tenir debout to be standing (up)

se tenir droit

a. [debout] to stand up straight

b. [assis] to sit up straight

tiens-toi mieux sur ta chaise sit properly on your chair

c'est parce que tu te tiens mal que tu as mal au dos you get backaches because of bad posture

se tenir aux aguets to be on the lookout, to watch out

se tenir coi to remain silent

3. [se conduire] to behave

bien se tenir to behave oneself

mal se tenir to behave oneself badly

4. [être cohérent]

se tenir (bien)

a. [argumentation, intrigue] to hold together, to stand up

b. [raisonnement] to hold water, to hold together

je voudrais trouver un alibi qui se tienne I'm looking for a plausible excuse

[coïncider - indices, événements] to hang together, to be linked

5. (locution)

s'en tenir à: tenez-vous-en aux ordres confine yourself to carrying out orders

d'abord ingénieur puis directrice d'usine, elle ne s'en est pas tenue là she started out as an engineer, then became a factory manager, but she didn't stop there

je ne m'en tiendrai pas à ses excuses I won't be content with a mere apology from him

ne pas se tenir de [joie, impatience] to be beside oneself with

on ne se tenait plus de rire we were in absolute fits (of laughter)

tiens-toi bien, tenez-vous bien: ils ont détourné, tiens-toi bien, deux millions d'euros! they embezzled, wait for it, 2 million euros!

elle a battu le record, tenez-vous bien, de plus de deux secondes! she broke the previous record and by over two seconds, would you believe!

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se tenir pour verbe pronominal plus préposition

1. [se considérer comme]

je ne me tiens pas encore pour battu I don't reckon I'm ou I don't consider myself defeated yet

se tenir pour satisfait to feel satisfied

je ne me tiens pas pour un génie I don't regard myself as ou think of myself as ou consider myself a genius

2. (locution)

je ne supporterai pas tes insolences, tiens-le-toi pour dit! I'll say this only once, I won't put up with your rudeness!