Verb
/akuadɾiˈʎaɾ/
"Acuadrillar" is an archaic term used in Chile to refer to the act of cornering someone or something, putting them in a tight spot or difficult situation. It is not a commonly used word in contemporary Spanish and is mostly found in historical or literary contexts. Due to its specificity and antiquity, it is more likely to be encountered in written texts rather than in oral communication.
Lo acuadrillaron en la entrevista de trabajo y no supo qué responder. Translation: He was put in a tight spot during the job interview and didn't know what to say.
La situación lo acuadrilló contra la pared, dejándolo sin opciones. Translation: The situation cornered him against the wall, leaving him with no options.
"Acuadrillar" is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions in Spanish. However, some idioms that convey a similar idea of cornering or putting someone in a difficult situation include: 1. Acorralar a alguien - To back someone into a corner - Los periodistas acorralaron al político con preguntas incisivas. (The journalists backed the politician into a corner with incisive questions.)
El acuerdo dejó al empresario sin salida en negociaciones futuras. (The agreement left the businessman with no way out in future negotiations.)
Poner entre la espada y la pared - To put someone between a rock and a hard place
The word "acuadrillar" is derived from the prefix "a-" (to) and the word "cuadrilla" (crowd, group, or gang). When someone is "acuadrillado," they are metaphorically pushed into a corner by a group or crowd, leaving them in a challenging situation.
Synonyms: - Acorralar (To corner) - Poner en aprietos (To put in trouble) - Atrapar (To trap)
Antonyms: - Liberar (To release) - Ayudar (To help) - Facilitar (To make easier)