usine à gaz
- Dictionary
l'usine à gaz
A noun phrase is a group of words that acts like a noun in a sentence or phrase (e.g., un je ne sais quoi).
a. gasworks
L’ancienne usine à gaz a enfin été démolie.The old gasworks has finally been demolished.
2. (figurative) (overly complex system)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. overly complicated (adjective phrase)
Le gouvernement a décidé de simplifier la procédure, qui était devenue une usine à gaz.The government has decided to simplify the procedure, which had become overly complicated.
b. Rube Goldberg machine (figurative) (United States)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Regionalism used in the United States.
Je n’ai jamais vu un site Internet aussi compliqué. C’est une véritable usine à gaz !I've never seen such a complicated website. It's a real Rube Goldberg machine!
Examples
Random Word
Roll the dice and learn a new word now!
