vortex

tourbillon, vortex

Masse d’eau ou d’air qui tourne rapidement et attire les choses vers son centre.

En anglais simple : A fast-spinning mass of water or air that pulls things towards its centre.

• A vortex formed in the water.
• The leaves spun inside a small vortex of air.
• Two vortices appeared behind the boat.

Synonymes : whirlpool, whirlwind

Expressions courantes : water vortex, air vortex, spinning vortex

tourbillon, maelström

Situation où une activité violente ou confuse se concentre autour d’un lieu ou de quelque chose.

En anglais simple : A situation full of violent or confused activity centred on one place or thing.

• The square became a vortex of activity.
• She stood at the centre of a vortex of confusion.
• The capital was a vortex of violence during the war.

Comment l'utiliser : vortex of something (The city became a vortex of political unrest.)

Synonymes : maelstrom, whirlwind

Expressions courantes : vortex of violence, vortex of chaos, vortex of activity

engrenage, spirale

Ce qui entraîne des personnes ou des choses et dont il est difficile de sortir.

En anglais simple : Something that draws people or things into it and makes escape difficult.

• Debt became a vortex she could not escape.
• The family was drawn into a vortex of endless spending.
• He feared the vortex of addiction would swallow his future.

Comment l'utiliser : a vortex of something (He was caught in a vortex of debt.)

Expressions courantes : vortex of debt, vortex of addiction, inescapable vortex