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être au creux de la vague

“Être au creux de la vague” is a French expression that literally means to be at the tough of the way. Creux (m) translates to trough or low point and vague (f) means wave. Here are some English meanings:

  • to hit rock bottom
  • to go through a bad patch
  • to go through a rough spell
  • to be at the lowest point

French-to-French definitions include:

  • se retrouver dans une mauvaise situation to find yourself in a bad situation
  • être bas de sa popularité to be at the lowest point of popularity
  • connaître la plus faible activité to know the weakest activity (economic)

example sentence:

  • Pour une économie qui est déjà au creux de la vague, la réapparition du virus a ete une vraie catastrophe. For an economy which has already hit bottom, the resurgence of the virus has been a real catastrophe.

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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on his site, FrenchLearner.com, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.

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