The French soon intimidate (4,2)
I believe the answer is:
lean on
'intimidate' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'the french soon' is the wordplay.
'the french' becomes 'le' ('the' in French).
'soon' becomes 'anon' (synonyms).
'le'+'anon'='LEAN-ON'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lean on that I've seen before include "Informally, seek to influence by intimidation" , "Pressurise (someone to do something) (colloq.)" , "Informally, seek to intimidate" , "Informally, try to influence by intimidation - rest against" , "Cling to" .)