rendre les armes
To be happy
Literalmente: to return the weapons
Use it when you finally stop arguing and give in to someone else's point of view.
Em 15 segundos
- To stop resisting or to admit defeat in an argument.
- Literally means 'to return the weapons' to an opponent.
- Used when you finally give in to someone's persistent requests.
Significado
While it literally sounds like giving up in a fight, it actually means to finally give in, stop resisting, or admit defeat in an argument or a difficult situation.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Giving in to a friend's movie choice
D'accord, j'arrête de discuter, je rends les armes : on regarde ce film d'horreur.
Okay, I'll stop arguing, I'm giving in: we'll watch this horror movie.
A long business negotiation finally ending
Après trois heures de réunion, le client a fini par rendre les armes.
After a three-hour meeting, the client finally gave in.
Texting about a persistent salesperson
Le vendeur était trop fort, j'ai rendu les armes et j'ai acheté le canapé !
The salesman was too good, I gave up and bought the sofa!
Contexto cultural
Originating from medieval military etiquette, this phrase reflects the French appreciation for 'le panache' even in defeat. It transitioned from the battlefield to the parlor as a way to gracefully end a stubborn disagreement or a long-standing rivalry.
Not about happiness!
Despite what some mistranslations suggest, this phrase is about surrender, not joy. You might feel relieved after, but the core meaning is 'giving in'.
The French Love to Argue
In France, a debate is a sport. Saying `je rends les armes` is like a polite way of saying 'Good game, you won this round.'
Em 15 segundos
- To stop resisting or to admit defeat in an argument.
- Literally means 'to return the weapons' to an opponent.
- Used when you finally give in to someone's persistent requests.
What It Means
Imagine you are in a heated debate about where to eat. You finally stop arguing and say, "Fine, let's get sushi." That is rendre les armes. It means to stop fighting or to surrender. It is not about being happy. It is about laying down your metaphorical sword. You use it when you stop resisting someone's influence or a persistent situation.
How To Use It
You use this phrase like a regular verb. The verb rendre conjugates just like vendre. You can use it for big life decisions or tiny daily squabbles. It often implies a bit of exhaustion. You have fought the good fight, but now you are done. It is perfect for those "uncle" moments in life.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend finally convinces you to go out. Use it when a toddler wins the negotiation for a second cookie. It works well in professional settings too. If a project is no longer viable, a team might rendre les armes. It is great for storytelling. It adds a touch of drama to your everyday frustrations.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this to mean you are happy. If you are joyful, stick to être heureux. Also, avoid using it in actual violent contexts. That would be too literal and quite scary! It is a figure of speech for social or mental resistance. Don't use it if you are still actively fighting. It marks the end of the struggle, not the middle.
Cultural Background
France has a long, intense military history. Many French idioms come from the battlefield. Rendre les armes dates back to old codes of chivalry. When a knight was beaten, he literally handed over his sword. Today, the French love a good debate. Using a military term for a dinner argument shows how much they value rhetoric. It turns a simple disagreement into a mini-epic.
Common Variations
You might hear poser les armes which is very similar. It means to lay down the weapons. Another one is baisser les bras. This means to drop your arms in discouragement. While rendre les armes feels like a formal surrender to someone else, baisser les bras feels more like giving up on yourself. Both are common in daily French life.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and versatile. It is often used with 'finir par' (to end up) to show that the surrender happened after a long struggle.
Not about happiness!
Despite what some mistranslations suggest, this phrase is about surrender, not joy. You might feel relieved after, but the core meaning is 'giving in'.
The French Love to Argue
In France, a debate is a sport. Saying `je rends les armes` is like a polite way of saying 'Good game, you won this round.'
Pronunciation Trick
Make sure to link the words: 'ren-dre-lez-arm'. That 's' at the end of `les` sounds like a 'z' because `armes` starts with a vowel!
Exemplos
6D'accord, j'arrête de discuter, je rends les armes : on regarde ce film d'horreur.
Okay, I'll stop arguing, I'm giving in: we'll watch this horror movie.
Shows a casual surrender in a social setting.
Après trois heures de réunion, le client a fini par rendre les armes.
After a three-hour meeting, the client finally gave in.
Used here to describe a professional concession.
Le vendeur était trop fort, j'ai rendu les armes et j'ai acheté le canapé !
The salesman was too good, I gave up and bought the sofa!
Humorous admission of being 'defeated' by marketing.
Face à son génie, j'ai dû rendre les armes rapidement.
Faced with his genius, I had to surrender quickly.
A more literal but still metaphorical use in a game.
Le petit pleurait depuis une heure, j'ai rendu les armes pour avoir la paix.
The little one had been crying for an hour, I gave in just to have some peace.
Relatable parenting moment of exhaustion.
Il est temps de rendre les armes et de se réconcilier.
It is time to lay down our arms and reconcile.
A more serious, emotional call for peace.
Teste-se
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the expression.
Elle est très têtue, elle ne ___ jamais les armes.
The idiom specifically uses the verb `rendre` (to return/give back).
Which situation best fits the use of 'rendre les armes'?
Mon frère a fini par ___ après que je l'ai supplié de m'aider.
The context of 'supplicating' or begging suggests someone finally giving in.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality Scale of 'Rendre les armes'
Used with friends when conceding a point.
J'ai rendu les armes, il a gagné.
Standard usage in news or stories.
L'entreprise a rendu les armes face à la crise.
Used in literature or high-level diplomacy.
Il est noble de rendre les armes avec dignité.
When to say 'Rendre les armes'
Debating dinner
Fine, pizza it is!
Negotiating a raise
Accepting the final offer.
Board games
Admitting you can't win.
Parenting
Letting them stay up late.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it means you have stopped resisting. While you might be 'happy' the argument is over, the phrase itself means to surrender, like in J'ai rendu les armes face à son insistance.
Not at all! It is used metaphorically 99% of the time in daily life for arguments, negotiations, or stubborn situations.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral. You can say L'équipe a rendu les armes if a project was abandoned after much effort.
Baisser les bras is more about losing hope or motivation, whereas rendre les armes is specifically about stopping a fight or a disagreement with someone else.
No, it is a standard idiom. It is safe to use with your boss, your grandma, or your friends.
It uses the verb rendre. For example: Je rends, Tu rends, Il/Elle rend, Nous rendons, Vous rendez, Ils/Elles rendent.
No, that doesn't work. The fixed expression is always rendre les armes.
Not really, but triompher would be the opposite. Rendre les armes is about the person who loses the argument.
Very! You will hear it in movies, read it in newspapers, and hear it in cafes when people discuss politics or family drama.
Yes, if a team stops trying because the score is too high, you could say Ils ont rendu les armes.
Frases relacionadas
Baisser les bras (To give up/lose heart)
Jeter l'éponge (To throw in the towel)
S'avouer vaincu (To admit defeat)
Capituler (To capitulate/surrender)
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