the situation is becoming downright worrying

carrément [kaʀemɑ̃]

• il est carrément nul (inf) he's completely useless (inf)

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1) (= franchement, sans détours) straight out, bluntly

2) (valeur intensive)

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carrément adv

1 ( purement et simplement) [malhonnête, stupide, désastreux, exotique] downright; la situation devient carrément inquiétante the situation is becoming downright worrying; ce n'est plus de la prudence, c'est carrément de la lâcheté it's no longer a question of being cautious, it's downright cowardice; il vaut carrément mieux les jeter/changer le moteur it would be better just to throw them out/to change the engine;

2 ( complètement) completely; changer carrément de nom to change name completely; on est carrément dans le brouillard we're completely in the dark; c'est carrément un désastre/le cauchemar it's a complete disaster/nightmare; certaines entreprises ont carrément été exonérées some companies have been totally exempted; ils ont carrément engagé des tueurs they have even hired assassins; il faudrait carrément louer une camionnette we should really hire a van; reprenons carrément depuis le début let's start again right from the beginning; les réformes ne suffiront pas, il faut carrément changer le système the reforms will not be enough, it's the system that needs changing;

3 ( sans ambages) [demander, dire] straight out; [exprimer] clearly, in no uncertain terms; elle m'a carrément accusé de mentir she accused me straight out of lying;

4 ( sans hésiter) allez-y carrément! go straight ahead!, go for it○!; il a carrément démissionné he went straight ahead and resigned; faute de pouvoir payer son loyer, il a carrément installé un lit de camp dans son bureau since he was unable to pay the rent, he went and set up a camp bed in his office; dans un cas pareil, appelle carrément la police in such a case, don't hesitate to call the police; le pétrolier a carrément vidé ses cuves dans le port the tanker emptied its tanks right in the harbour^GB.

[karemɑ̃] adverbe

1. [dire] straight out, bluntly

[agir] straight

2. (familier) [en intensif] pretty (adverbe), downright

3. [poser] squarely, firmly