In this article we will consider the meaning of the word "embrasure", as well as the phrase "climb onto the embrasure." Many probably heard this expression, but perhaps not everyone fully understands its meaning. What interesting facts are associated with this phrase and what does it mean? Let's try to deal with these issues.
Meaning of the word “Embrasure”
The word "embrasure" is of French origin. In French, it sounds like embrasure. The embrasure is literally translated as “aperture”, “notch”. It is an open hole (which is often equipped with a special shutter to protect against enemy bullets and fragments) in a defensive structure, as well as in armored towers. It is intended for firing from guns, machine guns, mortars. The dimensions and shape of the embrasure depend on the type of gun used, the conditions in which the shooting takes place, as well as on the firing sector.
The difference between the embrasure and the loophole is that the first is designed to conduct combat operations from stationary guns, and the second from hand weapons (pistol, gun, rifle, etc.). Most often, in the loophole there are no protective devices, and in the embrasures, as a rule, they are.
Climb the embrasure: the meaning of the expression
The word "embrasure" is mainly used now in the phrase "climb (throw) on the embrasure." What is meant by embrasure, we have already figured out. The expression "rush into the embrasure" means to commit some noble act to the detriment of oneself. Moreover, the act committed in this case, as a rule, is useless and not beneficial.
When do you use this expression? It is used to characterize the actions of a person who, contrary to common sense, puts himself at risk in the name of lofty goals, while not calculating the real consequences of what is happening and to some extent sacrifices himself.
Interesting Facts
Another meaning of the phrase “climb the embrasure” is to cover yourself. Since World War II , many stories have been preserved about the heroic deeds of Soviet soldiers. One of them, about the young hero Alexander Matrosov, occupies a special place. His feat was that when the Soviet battalion came under fire, 19-year-old Alexander crept up to the enemy’s bunker, from which the Nazis poured fire on the soldiers and threw a couple of grenades there. The fire died down, but when the Soviet units went on the attack, the shooting resumed. Then Alexander threw his body on the embrasure, thus closing his comrades from the fire. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was assigned posthumously to Matrosov.
As you know from various reliable sources, during the Great Patriotic War, not only Alexander Matrosov made such a feat. There were many brave and desperate Soviet soldiers who did not spare their lives for the sake of victory, and literally covered their comrades with their own bodies from the fire. But it was the feat of Alexander Matrosov that became the most famous in the entire history of the Second World War.
What other phrases are there with the word "embrasure"? Synonym for this expression
In addition to the phrase “climb onto the embrasure” there is also such a thing: “push into the embrasure”. In this context, this expression means the same as rushing into the embrasure, but only with the difference that in the first case a person consciously makes such a decision and the initiative belongs to him, and in another case he is forced to do so. Various reasons can be forced. For example, stronger people who have a certain influence on a person. Through blackmail or other forms of coercion, they can push their victim to commit a reckless act, having some selfish goals.
Circumstances that can be pushed to reckless actions can also occur in a certain way, when, in order to solve a problem, you need to go for embrasure. This usually happens when less risky ways to defend justice no longer remain.
The synonym for the expression “rush into the embrasure” may be the phrase “climb on the rampage”. And in both cases, we are talking about the fact that a person puts himself at risk, sometimes completely unjustified. Such people are either completely reckless, or big altruists, or caught in extraordinary circumstances that force them to such actions.
Conclusion
If we take into account peacetime, then in reality there are not so many people who are ready to rush into the embrasure. This is not so surprising. Healthy (and not so) egoism keeps the bulk of the population from such rash acts. However, in the modern pragmatic world, there are those who, with their breasts, rush at the embrasure in the name of truth. Many consider such people fools, because far from always they manage to achieve it, and often they unnecessarily bring themselves to trouble. However, it is precisely such people who make others think that protesting against injustice and a willingness to sacrifice oneself are not empty words, and all these manifestations of human nature have a place at any time and under any morals.