levier

lever

noun luh-VYEH Rare

Origin: Latin levare (to raise)

Also means

leverage, lever of power (figurative)

Usage Note

Levier refers to a physical lever (as in mechanics) and, very commonly, to a means of influence or a point of leverage in business or politics (utiliser tous les leviers à sa disposition — 'to use every lever available'). Le levier de vitesse is the gearstick in a car. The figurative sense is ubiquitous in management and political discourse.

Examples

"Il utilise son poste comme un levier pour influencer les décisions."

Natural Translation

He uses his position as a lever to influence decisions.

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