15초 만에
- To criticize someone or something with extreme, relentless severity.
- Derived from heating cannonballs to set enemy wooden ships on fire.
- Used when a verbal attack is harsh, public, or very aggressive.
뜻
Actually, the translation 'to be in good shape' is a common mistake! This phrase means to attack someone or something with extreme verbal violence or harsh criticism.
주요 예문
3 / 6Discussing a political debate
Le candidat a tiré à boulets rouges sur le programme de son adversaire.
The candidate relentlessly attacked his opponent's platform.
Talking about a movie review
La critique a tiré à boulets rouges sur le nouveau film de Besson.
The critic tore Besson's new movie to shreds.
After a tough meeting
Le patron nous a tiré dessus à boulets rouges pendant une heure.
The boss went off on us for an hour.
문화적 배경
In French political culture, 'tirer à boulets rouges' is almost a sport. During the 'Questions au Gouvernement' every Tuesday and Wednesday, you can hear this level of rhetoric live on television. In Quebec, the phrase is well-understood but sometimes competes with more local expressions like 'se faire ramasser' (to get picked up/scolded). However, in high-level journalism (Radio-Canada), 'boulets rouges' remains the standard. Belgian French uses this idiom frequently in its complex political landscape, especially when the different regional governments disagree. While Swiss political culture is generally more focused on consensus, the phrase appears in 'Le Temps' or 'La Tribune de Genève' when describing international conflicts or major corporate scandals.
Don't use it for yourself
You never 'tire à boulets rouges' on yourself unless you are being extremely self-deprecating in a formal speech.
The 'Sur' Rule
Always follow the phrase with 'sur' + the target. If the target is a pronoun, it becomes 'dessus' at the end: 'Il me tire à boulets rouges DESSUS'.
15초 만에
- To criticize someone or something with extreme, relentless severity.
- Derived from heating cannonballs to set enemy wooden ships on fire.
- Used when a verbal attack is harsh, public, or very aggressive.
What It Means
Imagine someone isn't just arguing with you. They are launching a full-scale verbal assault. To use tirer à boulets rouges means to criticize someone relentlessly. You aren't being subtle. You are trying to demolish their argument or reputation. It is the linguistic equivalent of a scorched-earth policy.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when the tone gets heated. It usually follows the preposition sur. For example: Il a tiré à boulets rouges sur son rival. You can use it in politics, sports, or office drama. It describes the action of the critic, not the victim. Use it when the criticism feels personal and intense.
When To Use It
Use it when watching a spicy televised debate. It's perfect for describing a boss who lost their cool. You might use it when a food critic destroys a restaurant. It fits perfectly in a text to a friend about a family argument. If the gloves are off, this is your phrase. It adds a cinematic flair to your storytelling.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for constructive feedback. If your teacher gently corrects your grammar, they aren't doing this. Avoid it in calm, professional performance reviews. It implies a lack of restraint. Don't use it if the person is just 'in good shape' (that would be avoir la pêche). Using it wrongly might make you sound like you're starting a war!
Cultural Background
This comes from old-school naval warfare. Sailors would heat iron cannonballs until they were glowing red. These 'red bullets' would set wooden enemy ships on fire. It wasn't just about making a hole. It was about total destruction. Today, the fire is purely metaphorical, but the heat remains.
Common Variations
You might hear se faire tirer dessus à boulets rouges. This means you are the one being attacked. Sometimes people just say tirer sur tout ce qui bouge. That means attacking everything that moves. But the 'red bullets' version remains the most classic and powerful way to describe a verbal roasting.
사용 참고사항
This is a Level C1 idiom because it requires understanding metaphorical nuance. It is neutral in register, meaning it works in both newspapers and casual conversation.
Don't use it for yourself
You never 'tire à boulets rouges' on yourself unless you are being extremely self-deprecating in a formal speech.
The 'Sur' Rule
Always follow the phrase with 'sur' + the target. If the target is a pronoun, it becomes 'dessus' at the end: 'Il me tire à boulets rouges DESSUS'.
Media Literacy
When you see this in a French headline, expect a very biased or very passionate article.
예시
6Le candidat a tiré à boulets rouges sur le programme de son adversaire.
The candidate relentlessly attacked his opponent's platform.
Standard usage in a political context.
La critique a tiré à boulets rouges sur le nouveau film de Besson.
The critic tore Besson's new movie to shreds.
Shows the intensity of the negative review.
Le patron nous a tiré dessus à boulets rouges pendant une heure.
The boss went off on us for an hour.
Passive form used to show you were the target.
J'ai vu ton tweet, tu tires à boulets rouges là !
I saw your tweet, you're really going for the jugular!
Informal observation of someone being aggressive online.
Ma mère tire à boulets rouges sur ma nouvelle coupe de cheveux.
My mom is absolutely roasting my new haircut.
Using a heavy military metaphor for something trivial.
Arrête de lui tirer dessus à boulets rouges, il a fait de son mieux.
Stop attacking him so harshly, he did his best.
Used to ask for mercy in a heated moment.
셀프 테스트
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition and phrase.
Le sénateur a tiré _______ _______ _______ _______ le nouveau projet de loi.
The fixed phrase is 'à boulets rouges' followed by the preposition 'sur'.
Which situation best fits the use of 'tirer à boulets rouges'?
A situation where...
The phrase implies a severe, often public, verbal attack.
Choose the best response for Speaker B.
Speaker A: 'Tu as entendu la critique du nouveau chef ?' Speaker B: 'Oui, le journal _______.'
The passé composé 'a tiré' fits the context of a published review.
Match the register with the correct sentence.
Registers: 1. Formal, 2. Informal, 3. Slang
'Flinguer' is slang, 'Presse' is formal, and 'dessus' at the end is informal.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제Le sénateur a tiré _______ _______ _______ _______ le nouveau projet de loi.
The fixed phrase is 'à boulets rouges' followed by the preposition 'sur'.
A situation where...
The phrase implies a severe, often public, verbal attack.
Speaker A: 'Tu as entendu la critique du nouveau chef ?' Speaker B: 'Oui, le journal _______.'
The passé composé 'a tiré' fits the context of a published review.
왼쪽의 각 항목을 오른쪽의 짝과 연결하세요:
'Flinguer' is slang, 'Presse' is formal, and 'dessus' at the end is informal.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문It describes a rude or aggressive action, but the phrase itself is sophisticated. Using it shows high-level mastery.
No, it is strictly for verbal or written attacks.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'couvrir d'éloges' (to cover with praise) works well.
Yes, you are firing many cannonballs to be effective, so it is always 'boulets rouges'.
No, the phrase is fixed. 'Rouges' refers to the heat of the iron.
Yes, but usually to describe a very bad meeting or a hostile takeover attempt.
Not necessarily. You can tire à boulets rouges using the truth; it's the *way* you say it that matters.
Only if you are gossiping about a drama: 'Ohlala, Julie a tiré à boulets rouges sur Paul dans le groupe !'
Yes, it is excellent for literary or political analysis.
Because 'boulets' are for cannons (big, heavy), and 'balles' are for guns. This is a 'heavy' attack.
관련 표현
tirer à balles réelles
builds onTo use 'live ammunition' (serious, damaging facts) in an attack.
voler dans les plumes
similarTo physically or verbally attack someone.
éreinter quelqu'un
synonymTo exhaust or break someone with criticism.
faire un procès d'intention
contrastTo criticize someone's hidden motives rather than their actions.
