foirer

Definition & meaning

Foirer is a common, informal French verb that typically translates to "to mess up," "to fail," or "to go wrong." It has two primary meanings:

1. To fail or go wrong: Used when a project, an exam, a relationship, or an event does not go as planned or results in failure. It is often used to describe something that has been ruined or has "flopped."
2. To have diarrhea: In a more literal and vulgar sense, the word comes from the noun "foire," which historically referred to diarrhea. In this context, it means to suffer from loose bowels.

Grammar & Word origin

Foirer is a regular -er verb (first conjugation). It is considered colloquial or slang (familier).

The word originates from the Old French "foire," which meant "fart" or "diarrhea" (from the Latin feda). Over time, the figurative sense of "failing" or "messing up" evolved from the original scatological meaning, implying that something has "gone to pieces."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• Rater ↗ (to miss/fail)
• Échouer ↗ (to fail)
• Se planter [?](vocabuo://word/se planter) (to mess up - colloquial)
• Floper ↗ (to flop)
• Manquer ↗ (to fail at something)

Antonyms:

• Réussir ↗ (to succeed)
• Réussir à [?](vocabuo://word/réussir à) (to manage/succeed in)
• Aboutir ↗ (to result in success)