épingler

Senses

1. 1.

   to pin

   to fasten something with a pin or safety pin

2. 2.

   to catch out; to nail

   to expose or criticize someone for a mistake or wrongdoing

3. 3.

   to mention; to single out

   to single out a person or thing for comment or criticism

Examples

• "Elle a épinglé une broche sur sa robe."

  She pinned a brooch on her dress.

• "Le journaliste a épinglé le ministre pour ses mensonges."

  The journalist called out the minister for his lies.

• "La critique a épinglé le film comme étant trop long."

  The critic singled out the film for being too long.

Usage

Commonly used in both literal (pinning objects) and figurative contexts (criticizing or exposing). In modern usage, the figurative sense of "catching out" or "exposing" is frequent in journalism and social commentary. The verb is regular and conjugates as -ER.