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Être dans le collimateur (To be on somebody’s hit list)

“Être dans le collimateur de quelqu’un” is a French expression that translates literally to “to be in somebody’s gun sight”. Here are some English meanings:

  • to be on somebody’s hit list
  • to have somebody in your sights
  • to be on somebody’s radar
  • to be in somebody’s cross-hairs

Expressio.fr offers the following meaning in French: to observe somebody closely often with threatening intent, suspicion or animosity. Here’s an example sentence:

  • Ceux qui sont contre les droits civiques sont dans le collimateur des manifestant depuis que les images du meurtre de George Floyd ont ete diffusés à la télévision. Those who have been against civil rights have been in the cross-hairs of the protesters since this pictures of the murder of George Floyd were broadcast on television.
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David Issokson
David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

David Issokson

David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

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