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enfiler

thread, slip on

verb ahn-fee-LEH Less Common

Also means

put on (clothes)

Usage Note

Enfiler literally means to thread (a needle: enfiler une aiguille) or to string (beads: enfiler des perles). Colloquially it is the everyday verb for slipping on a garment quickly (enfiler son manteau = 'to throw on one's coat'). The expression enfiler des perles ('to string pearls') idiomatically means to dawdle or waste time.

Examples

"Il a enfilé son manteau en partant."

Natural Translation

He threw on his coat as he left.

Literal Translation

He threaded on his coat as he left.

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