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noun, feminine

pince-monseigneur

/pɛ̃s.mɔ̃.sɛ.ɲœʁ/

noun, feminine/pɛ̃s.mɔ̃.sɛ.ɲœʁ/plural: pinces-monseigneur

crowbar; bolt cutter

Synonyms: pied-de-biche, coupe-boulons

From pince (“pincer, pliers”) + monseigneur. The French Academy gives the following explanation to explain the term: because ironically it was said that all doors open in front of high-ranking people.