Talking to a non-french about current events in France: Oh yeah, right now the french farmers are very unhappy about some laws and taxes, so they're protesting by doing a... what's the word for this in english? Oh! A siege. Yes, they're sieging Paris.
Them: I— It's... I don't think that's the right word. A siege is like, an army surrounding a castle or a city.
Me: Yeah yeah, that's it! They cut any access to the biggest highways around Paris with tractors and haystacks. I think they also intercepted some trucks with farm products from other countries and gave the products to charity, so they could protest against their work conditions and how little they're being paid.
Them: Oh my god! Is this a civil war?
Me: What? Of course not!
[confused silence]