accrocher

I.

v. trans.

1. To 'buttonhole' someone, to hold a person in conversation against his will.

2. To 'nick', to 'collar', to arrest.

3. (of motor vehicle): To 'prang', to have a collision with a stationary object or another vehicle.

4. To 'hock', to pawn.

5. Accrocher les wagons: To 'puke', to 'throw up', to vomit. (Accrochez les wagons! is the kind ofphrase-excuse one utters with familiar jocularity when unable to repress a belch.)

6. Accrocher un paletot: To fib, to tell alie.

II.

v. intrans.

1. To 'catch on', to be successful.

2. (of studies): To 'latch on', to 'cotton on', to understand and assimilate. En math il a du mal à accrocher! Maths are still quite a stumbling-block with him!

III.

v. pronom.

1. (Cycling slang): To stick to a fellow-competitor, to hang on leech-like at all costs.

2. S'accrocher (à quelqu'un): To buttonhole someone and pester him until he gives in.

3. Se l'accrocher: To have to do without, to miss out on something. Alors là, mon vieux, tu peux te l'accrocher! I'll tell you for one, you can whistle for it!

IV.

v. trans. reflex.

1. To 'have a barney', to have a row with someone. 'On est toujours à s'accrocher pour un rien (du tout): We're always at each other's throat over trifles.

2. S'accrocher avec quelqu'un: To have a set-to, to have a fight with someone.