Why do I need to know bras de fer?

Because it pops up all the time in French media whenever there is some sort of conflict.

What does it mean?

Bras de fer – roughly pronounced brah duh fair – technically translates as ‘arm of iron’, but it actually means to strong-arm someone, sometimes in a literal sense.

The expression refers to the physical exercise of arm-wrestling, where two people place their elbows on a table, clench their fists and try to force the others’ arm onto the table.

These days, bras de fer is mostly used in a symbolic manner, once negotiation and discussion have gone out the window – although you would also use it if you want to challenge someone to an arm wrestle.

You might use it when someone is preparing for a stand-off, or if they want to strong-arm or force the other party to bend to their preference.

Bras de fer is a recurrent expression in French media, especially if there is a political conflict. 

Use it like this

Dans ce bras de fer entre le président et le premier ministre au sujet du prochain gouvernement, le vainqueur reste incertain. – In this battle between the president and the prime minister over the next government, the winner remains unclear.

Le bras de fer se poursuit. Les grévistes ont refusé les concessions de la direction. – The stand-off continues. Striking workers refused management’s concessions.