recoil

recul

Poussée brusque vers l’arrière d’une arme au moment du tir.

En anglais simple : The sudden backward push of a gun when it is fired.

• The gun's recoil hurt my shoulder.
• This rifle has very little recoil.
• She held the weapon firmly to control the recoil.

Synonymes : kick, kickback

Expressions courantes : rifle recoil, heavy recoil, absorb the recoil

recul, rebond

Mouvement brusque vers l’arrière, souvent après une poussée, un étirement ou une frayeur.

En anglais simple : A sudden movement backward, often after being pushed, stretched, or frightened.

• The spring's recoil shook the frame.
• Her sudden recoil showed how frightened she was.
• The elastic recoil of lung tissue helps push air out.

Synonymes : rebound, withdrawal

Expressions courantes : elastic recoil, sudden recoil, recoil of something

reculer, se rétracter

Se retirer brusquement parce que quelque chose fait peur, choque ou dégoûte.

En anglais simple : To move back suddenly because something frightens, shocks, or disgusts you.

• She recoiled when he touched her.
• I recoiled from the terrible smell.
• The children recoiled in horror as the spider moved.

Comment l'utiliser : recoil from someone/something (She recoiled from the dead mouse.); recoil in horror/disgust (He recoiled in horror at the photograph.)

Synonymes : shrink back, flinch, draw back

Expressions courantes : recoil from something, recoil in horror, recoil in disgust

reculer

Pour une arme, partir brusquement vers l’arrière au moment du tir.

En anglais simple : If a gun does this, it moves backward suddenly when fired.

• The gun recoiled sharply.
• The rifle recoils each time you fire it.
• Her pistol recoiled and she lowered it carefully.

Synonymes : kick back

Expressions courantes : rifle recoil sharply, gun recoil violently, recoil when fired