à la bourre

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late, behind schedule, in a rush
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/a la buʁ/
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An informal expression for being late, behind schedule, or rushing because time is short.
Practice using à la bourre in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Dire que le ministre est à la bourre passe à l'oral, mais paraît trop familier dans un rapport officiel.
    Saying that the minister is running late works in speech, but sounds too informal in an official report.
  • Désolé, je suis encore à la bourre ce matin.
    Sorry, I'm running late again this morning.
  • Elle court jusqu'au métro parce qu'elle est à la bourre.
    She runs to the metro because she's running late.
  • On est à la bourre pour rendre le dossier vendredi.
    We're behind schedule for submitting the file on Friday.
  • Le chantier a pris du retard et l'équipe est vraiment à la bourre.
    The building work has been delayed and the team is really behind schedule.

Similar words

à la traîne
pressé
débordé
en retard

Meanings

Late or behind schedule

everyday
informal
Describes someone or something that is late, has fallen behind a timetable, or must hurry to catch up.

Examples

  • Désolé, je suis encore à la bourre ce matin.
    Sorry, I'm running late again this morning.
  • On est à la bourre pour rendre le dossier vendredi.
    We're behind schedule for submitting the file on Friday.
  • Elle court jusqu'au métro parce qu'elle est à la bourre.
    She runs to the metro because she's running late.
  • Le chantier a pris du retard et l'équipe est vraiment à la bourre.
    The building work has been delayed and the team is really behind schedule.
  • Dire que le ministre est à la bourre passe à l'oral, mais paraît trop familier dans un rapport officiel.
    Saying that the minister is running late works in speech, but sounds too informal in an official report.

Similar words

en retard
à la traîne
pressé
débordé

Etymology

Built from à la, 'at the', and bourre, a word for stuffing or coarse fibres. The exact path to the modern meaning is debated. Reference dictionaries connect the expression with being blocked or behind, while another recorded explanation links it to Occitan card-game language for trailing badly in points.

FAQ

What does à la bourre mean?

À la bourre means late, behind schedule, or in a rush because there is not enough time.

Is à la bourre formal French?

No. À la bourre is familiar and natural in conversation, but en retard is safer in formal contexts.

Do you say être à la bourre?

Yes. The usual construction is être à la bourre, as in Je suis à la bourre.

Can à la bourre describe a project?

Yes. A person can be à la bourre, and work, a project, or an organisation can also be behind schedule.

How is à la bourre pronounced?

À la bourre is pronounced /a la buʁ/.

What is the opposite of à la bourre?

The clearest opposites are à l'heure for on time and en avance for early or ahead.

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