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noun, masculine

branle-bas de combat

/bʁɑ̃l.ba d(ə) kɔ̃.ba/

noun, masculine/bʁɑ̃l.ba d(ə) kɔ̃.ba/

the hurried taking down of hammocks in a ship as preparation for imminent battle; action stations; flurry, uproar, bustle, commotion

Synonyms: remue-ménage, chambard, bordel

Literally, “battle branle-bas”, as distinct from a regular branle-bas.

branle-bas de combat — French Dictionary | Passage