cogner

I.

v. trans.

1. To 'bash', to 'thump', to hit. Il les a cognés à bras raccourcis: He beat the living daylights out of them.

2. To stamp official documents. Il a fait cogner ses fafs: He got his I.D. papers cleared by the officials.

3. Cogner les brèmes: To have a game of cards.

4. Il m'a cogné de dix raides: He borrowed ten quid off me. (The implication here is of a very reluctant loan.)

II.

v. intrans. Ça cogne: It stinks—It smells foul. Qu'est-ce que ça cogne! What a pong!

III.

v. trans. reflex. To have 'a punch-up', to come to blows.

IV.

v. pronom.

1. Se cogner quelque chose:

  a To have to do something unpleasant. Je me suis cogné cinq heures de train: I've been through five gruelling hours in the train.

  b To treat oneself to something. On s'est cogné le menu à cinquante francs: We spoiled ourselves and went for the expensive meal.

  c To help oneself to something. Je me suis cogné ce qui restait: I took what was left.

2. Se cogner de quelque chose: 'Not to care a rap', to be unconcerned about something. Je m'en cogne de ce qu'il peut penser! I don't give a fig about what he thinks!