abîmer

Definition: to damage, ruin, spoil

Même une goutte d'eau peut abîmer la soie - Even a drop of water can ruin silk

Si tu continues à conduire comme ça tu vas abîmer le moteur - If you keep driving like that you're going to damage the motor.

(familiar) to beat up

Related: s'abîmer - to get damaged, go bad, spoil; un abîme - abyss; abîmé (adj) - ruined, damaged, spoiled

(click the little graphic below to hear the Mot du jour pronounced)

Pronunciation: [a bee may]Audio Link