(rather formal) to no avail, fruitlessly, unsuccessfully, pointlessly, in vain, for nothing

pre-starter, appetizer / introduction, way in, opening act

an introduction, a way in, a lead-in

(informal, transitive) to take a dislike to (someone), to take against (someone)

(intransitive, derogatory) to drag on, to be protracted

(intransitive) to throw one's hat in the ring, to enter the lists, to enter the running, to enter the fray, to enter the arena

in the company of, accompanied by, with

(transitive) to put in danger, to jeopardize, to endanger, to imperil

Alternative spelling of en main propre

(figuratively) personally, in person