English translation of "est là dans un but crapuleux" - "is there to commit some foul deed"

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161 months ago

Barbara Cochran (a guest user) asked this question:

Language pair:	French > English
Subject:	Other
Level of diffculty:	Easy / medium
Word or term in question:	est là dans un but crapuleux
Context:	Encore à l'arrête, les quatre bateaux sont reliés les uns aux aures, par des bouts courts,
Keywords:	...leur permettant ainsi de ne refléter qu'un point aux yeux des satellites et des radars de la marine internationale qui les surveilleraient. La tactique est bien connue des pirates somaliens dur secteur du golfe qui, ainsi, se font passer pour des pêcheurs inoffensifs. Pourtant, le groupe qui attend depuis des heures dans la mer agitée, est là dans un but crapuleux, qui, contrairement à toute attente, servira les intérêts de la France et d'Israël.

Important This question has already been answered and rated. Therefore, no new answers can be given.

Complete list of answers and comments

161 months ago

wrote:

is there a purpose villainous

161 months ago

TRADUPROF wrote:

in itself a villainous purpose

161 months ago

TRADUPROF wrote:

the cluster of vessels grouped (or gathered) there with evil (or malice) on its mind ...

My comment:

the pirate ships waiting in a tight knot [group] to avoid detection by radar are not there to say mass, they're there with rape, pillage and slaughter on their minds.
CRAPULEUX from the Latin crapula is related to the English (see Oxford Dictionary) CRAPULENCE defined as the state following excessive boozing, gorging or feasting.

161 months ago

TRADUPROF wrote:

is there with villainous intents

161 months ago

Marie-Claire wrote:

is there to carry out some sordid operation

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

161 months ago

Marie-Claire wrote:

was up to no good???

161 months ago

Marie-Claire wrote:

is there to commit some foul deed

The asker rated this answer best

161 months ago

Geoff Bing wrote:

with a sordid intention

161 months ago

Amanda Haste PhD, DipTrans(IoLET), MCIL, CL wrote:

is there to make a financial killing

My comment:

Or 'is there to make money/with an eye to making a profit', but my first suggestion continues the fishing metaphor

crapuleux - self-serving, debauched, motivated by money

My references:

[Le Petit Robert 2012]
crapuleux = qui se plait, qui vit dans la crapule...
un crime crapuleux = ayant l’intérêt, l'argent pour mobile

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