Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
:CD
M. MARCHAND
=00
FIVE THOUSAND
FRENCH IDIOMS
GAU4C1SMS AMD PROVERBS
w,
PARIS
wi m
J.TERQOEM ETC 15
19. ROE SCRIBE
PROF. CH. MARCHAXDS BOOKS
MAY BE OBTAINED
IN AMERICA :
IN LONDON:
IN PARIS :
Five Thousand
FRENCH IDIOMS
Gallicisms, Proverbs, Idiomatic Adverbs,
Idiomatic Adjectives, Idiomatic Comparisons.
BY
EDITION 1918
Carefully revised and much enlarged.
PARIS
J. Terquem et C ie
, 19, Rue Scribe
NEW YORK
16, Beaver Street.
''"
tt&FGM0 BY
DATSJ.AN 7 199f
Copyright 1905
by
CH. M. MARCHAND
Library of Congress, "Washington
PC
"
is so superior to its grammar as the French; no language,
"
except perhaps the English itself, can be so poorly taught
"
by grammatical methods or brought within grammatical
"
explanations in no language is the play of idiom more
;
"
lively and -various and less within the control of ordinary
tl
analysis.
1(1
modern languages especially, when the element-
In the
" work
ary ceases, the true idiomatic and literary difficulties
11
begin, but it ts just here unfortunately, that our students
" in modern
languages are left without aid. For this reason,
" so our scholars acquire a real taste
few of for French.
Professor Joynes wrote the above lines in 1869; since
then, many annotated French text books have been edited
by many French professors with a view ot filling the need.
All of these combined still leave incomplete the subjects
of Idioms (*) and Gallicisms 2 ). Having found, during
(
(l) Idiom is m French Idiotisme (Gr. idios) different from idio/it, stupidity.
The French word idiome (Cr. Idiomd) means a dialect, particular to a pro-
vince fidiome bou> guignon
;
.
Aller, 70. Venir, 60. Etre, 60. Passer, 55. Porter, 52. Voir,
51. Rendre, 4=;, etc.
NOUNS :OEil, 63. Main, 60. Affaire, 56. Pied, 53. Tete,
48. Coup, 40. Coeur, 33. Oreille, 30. Eau, 29, etc...
I thank
cordially Prof. Theo. L. Neff, of the University
of Chicago Prof. C. C. Ayer, of the University of Colorado;
;
Affaire a)
EXERCICE i
(Affaire)
1. As he had no money, his project has fallen through, u.
2. Do not listen: this Ts none of your business. 9.
3. I think you will have a dangerous opponent. 41.
4. We have had dealings together for ten years. 47.
5. You do not know how to get out of a difficulty. 37.
6. If you advertise your own goods, your business will be a
success. 44. 36.
7. Do you remember the excitement of the Dreyfus case? i .
Air
1. Qa en a 1 air. It looks like it.
6. II
prend des airs avec He tries to impose upon me
moi.
7. II plane dans les airs. His ambition is very high
8*. II vit de 1'air du temps. He seems to live on nothing
9. II est entre deux airs. He stands in a draught.
AND GALLICISMS.
EXERCICE 2 (Air)
1. Do not stay in this draught, come and warm yourself a
little. 9. 13.
2. She is dignified although she looks ill. 4. 5.
3. Do you think it will rain? It looks like it, T.
Aller n
(l lepon)
1. Allez toujours !
Keep on with your prattling.
2. Allons allons!!
Hurry up!
3. Allons-y ! Let us proceed !
4. On y va Here I am.
5. Allez-y doucement. Proceed gently.
6. Allons done! Nonsense!
7. Allons aux voix. Let us vote.
8. Au pis a'ler. If the worst comes to the
worst.
FRENCH IDIOMS
Aller (2*
pattes.
30* Quand le bailment va. New buildings are a sign of
tout va. prosperity.
31* Qui va a la chasse perd Leave your turn, some one
sa place. takes it..
4. When you give way to your anger, you strike too seve-
rely. 15. 18.
5. In the hurricane (ouragari), our boat was adrift. 26.
6. She will not live long, this climate does not agree with
her. 19.
7. Everything is all right, so I can go and meet my
mother. 33. 25.
8. In your speech, do not exceed the limits. 35.
9. When I do
anything, I go straight to the point. 17.
10. Wecannot go to the races, as business is dull. it. 27.
10 FRENCH IDIOMS
Appeler
1. Comment vous appelez What is your name?
vous}
2. Comment 1'appelle-t-on? What is his or her name?
1. C'est ainsi qu'on Tap- Such is his or her name.
pelle.
<4 Cela s'appelle mentir. We call that a lie.
-
Attraper
situation.
4. II vous attrapera. mdfiez- He will take you in, be on
vous. your guard.
AND GALLICISMS. 11
10. Je me
I shall get my
compensation
rattraperai. I shall regain my loss.
it. Je vous rattraperai. I shall get even with you.
12. On 1'a attrapd sur le fait. He was caught in the act.
i^. Quelle bonne attrape! What a
good joke!
14. Que je vous y attrape! You had better not do that!
15. Vous ne pouvez pas me You cannot overtake me.
rattraper.
16 Vous etes bien attrape. You are deceived in your ex-
pectation.
Avoir
1. Avez-vousquelque chose Have you anything duti-
a declarer ? able?
He has a grudge against you.
2. C'est a vous qu'il en a.
He wants to speak to you.
3. Chacun a son gotit. Tastes differ.
4. EHe en a pour dix francs, She spent ten francs in no-
rien qu'en mercerie. tions only.
5. II a de quoi vivre. He has a competency.
6. II a lalarme facile. He cries easily.
7. II aperdu tout son avoir. He lost all his property.
8. II aura le prix. He will win the prize.
g. ll en avail sa claque^. He was overburdened.
10. II a eu gain de cause. He carried the day.
1 1. II n'a pas d'usage. He has no manners.
12. II en a mal usdavec vous. He has ill-treated you.
-13. 11 a les nerfs agacds. He is irritated, nervous.
14. II a le caracteremal fait. He is ill-tempered.
15. II de 1'entrain.
a He has plenty of go in him.
16. II a de la ccrde dependu He is wonderfully lucky.
dans sa poche 2 ). (
(i) The slang verb claquer means to die. He had enough to make
him die.
service >
30. Vous aviez bien besoin Why on earth did you talk >
de parler.
EXERCICE 6 (Avoir)
1. Tastes but you have no manners. 3. n.
differ,
2. Hardly one year after we had a competency, my father
died. 21. 5.
Battre, abattre
1. C'est un
rabat-joie. He is a wet blanket.
2. Elle a battu 1'omelette. She has stirred the eggs.
3. Elle bat le beurre. She churns.
14 FRENCH IDIOMS
Walker.
7. II ne bat plus que d'une He is on his last leg.
aile. (wing).
8. II bat la campagne. He is delirious.
9. II bat des mains. He applauds.
10. // s'en bat I'ceil. He does not trouble himself
about it.
11. II bat lagrossecaisse( 2 . He advertises lavishly.
12. II en rabattra. He will lower his preten-
sions.
13. II faut battremonnaie^. ^Ye must collect our bills
height.
22. Les ennemis ont 6t6 bat- The enemy was completely
4
tus a plate couture ( ). defeated, beaten hollow.
23. Le mur a 6t6 abattu. The wall was demolished.
EXERCICE 7 (Battre)
Beau, belle
1. Le beau monde. The select society.
2. Le bel age. Youth.
3. Un bel age. A good old age.
4. Un beau parleur. A coaxing man.
5. Une belle main. A good hand writing.
6. Un vieux beau. An old dandy.
7. Tout beau ! Proceed gently!
8. Ilferaitbeauvoir!(G.i//.) It would be surprising.
que...
1 6* Tout nouveau, tout beau. A new broom sweeps clean.
17. Ce chien fait le beau. This dog stands on Us hind
legs.
18. C'dtait le beau temps ! I was happy then !
coup difficulty.
20 * A beau mentir qui vient A traveller may lie as he
de loin. pleases.
21 II en fait de belles. He mischief-maker.
is a
22 II boit de plus belle. He drinks more than ever.
23 Jouons la belle. Let us play doubles or quits
24 J'en entends de belles What do I hear about you.
sur votre compte!
25 Vous m'en elites de I can hardly believe that.
belles!
AND GALLICISMS. 17
EXERCICE 8 (Beau)
1. When I was in my youth, I liked to frequent the select
society.
2. This old dandy spoils his good old age.
3. It would be surprising if you would go out without my per-
mission.
4. This elegant talker also writes a good hand.
5. Your speed is exaggerated; proceed gently.
6. I was
terribly frightened when heard the explosion.
I .
Bete
1. C'est bete comme chou. It is the plainest thing.
2. C'ept d'un bete a couper It is beastly stupid.
au couteau.
3. C'est ma b&te noire. It is my aversion.
4. C'est une vie.ille b6te. He is an old fool.
EXERCICE 9 (Bete)
1. I know why I am her aversion.
do not
2. Do not play the fool, it is useless.
1. It was the plainest thing; yet I did not see it.
Bien (noun)
Bien (adecrb)
Boii
1. C'est un boit : sans-soif. He drinks from habit.
2. Neditesjamais:fontaine You never know what you
je ne boirai pas de ton may come to.
eau.
3. II boit. a tire-larigot (
1
). He drinks repeatedly.
4. II boirait la mer et les He is very thirsty.
poissons.
^5. II boit comme un trou. He drinks like a fish.
6. II a bu tout d'un trait. He drank all in oneswallow.
7. II a bu un coup de trop. He has had a glass too
much.
8. II a bu plus que de rai- He drank to excess.
son.
l
g. II a bu un bouillon. He suffered a heavy loss.
10. Je boirai le calice. I
accept the humiliation.
1 1 . On sert a boire et a Food and drink are served:
manger. here.
12* Qui a bu boira. He is a confirmed drinker.
13. Versez-moi a boire. Pour me a drink.
the men took a drink before and after the work, hence the expression ;
boire a tire-larigot.
20 FRENCH IDIOMS
Bonnet
C'est bonnet blanc, blanc It is six of one and half a
Version recapitulative
SUR
affaire, air, aller, attraper, avoir, battre, beau, bete,
bien, boire, bonnet.
Mon cher ami. Quoique je sois en affaires du matin au soir,
il va de soi que j'aurais beau m'excuser, tu me dirais
que je n'ai
pas d'usage. Je n'ai pas besoin de me battre les flancs pour t'ecrire.
Je t'informe d'abord que mon concurrent ne bat plus que d'une
aile. II fait de mauvaises affaires. II a beau se demener, il ne
Bouche (D
4. II bouche.
fait la petite He has a small appetite
5. II en bouche (*).
est fort He speaks rudely.
6. II est sujet a sa bouche. He is a slave to his appetite.
7. II s'ote les morceaux de He deprives himself of food
la bouche. for his children.
8. II est a bouche queveux- He has all he can desire.
tuW.
9. II en a plein la bouche. He can talk of nothing else.
10. II ne pense, qu'a sa bou- He is a gourmand, greedy.
che.
11. II est mal embouchd. He uses rude expressions.
12. II sent de la bouche. Hi's breath is bad.
13. II s'est abouch6 avec les He engaged some robbers to
voleurs. do a bad job.
14. II aune bouche doree. He is very eloquent.
15. II est reste bouche b6e. His amazement was such
that he could not speak.
16. La deesse aux cent bou- Fame.
ches.
17. Les provisions de bou- Victuals, food.
che.
18. La bouche de chaleur. The heat-register.
19. Les bouches a feu. Cannons.
20. L'eau m'en vient a la It makes my mouth water.
bouche.
21. L'embouchure du pis- The mouth -piece of the
ton. bugle.
'22. L'embouchure dufleuve. The mouth of the river.
23. Les bouches du Nil. The delta of the Nile.
24. Restez bouche close. Be close-mouthed.
25. Une bouche d'egout. A sewer-hole, man-hole.
EXEUCICE 12 (TBouche)
Bout
1. A tout bout de champ. At every turn.
2. Au bout du compte. Upon the whole, or, after all,
3* Au bout du fosse la cui- After many mistakes, failure
bute. comes.
4. C'est une Economic de That is penny wise and
bouts de chandelles. pound-foolish.
-,
5. D'un bout a 1'autre. From beginning to end.
6. Elle le mene par le bout He is henpecked. ,
du nez.
7. Ilest aubout de son rou- He is at his wit's end.
leau.
8. II brule la-chandelle par He leads a dissipated life.
deux bouts.
les
EXERCICE 13 (Bout)
i. He has
not done yet, though he is at his wit's end.
a. Do not
give up; you hold your securities.
3. At the end of a day's work, she is exhausted.
4. Do not interrupt me at every turn.
5. They cannot mak; both ends meet.
6. Upon the whole, my patience is at an end.
Bras
1. Ce fauteuil vous tend les Take this arm chair.
rl
bras >.
EXERCICE 14 (Bras)
Bruler
1 . Ce cheval brule le pav6. This horse is a trotter. .
2. C'estunecervellebrulde. He is a dare-devil.
3. Celanevousbrulerapas. You will not get that.
, 4. Cela lui brule la langue. He cannot keep the secret.
5. Get acteurbrdleles plan- This actor plays with ardor.
ches.
6. II s'est brule la cervelle. He blew out his brains.
7. II m'a bruldla politesse. He left me suddenly
8. II a brul6 ses vaisseaux. He has burned his bridges
behind him 1 C '.
14. Us ont brul6 l'6tape. They did not stop at the regu-
lar station.
EXERCICE 15 CBruler)
1. When needed him the most, he left me suddenly.
I
brains.
6. You want that, do you? You will not get it.
Chambre
1. Chambre a louer. A crazy man.
2. II garde la chambre. He is ill in his room.
3. LaChambredemalheur. The French Legislatureelect-
ed in 1871.
4. La Chambre des D6- The House of Representa-
putes. lives.
Changer
1. La campagne vouschan- The country air will be a
gera. good change for you.
2. Les temps sont bien Times are quite different.
changds.
3. Ca ne me change pas. That does not alter my
habits.
28 FRENCH IDIOMS
Charg-er, charge
i. A charge de revanche. I shall return the compli-
ment.
Cela charge mon budget. That increases my expenses.
Donnez -moi une d6- Give me a receipt.
charge.
II est a ma charge. I have to pay his expenses.
11 a la
langue chargde. He has a coated tongue.
II a charge d'a"mes. He is a priest in office.
Un monte-charges. A freight elevator.
II estrevenu a la charge. He made the attempt again.
II a charge son recit. He has exaggerated the facts
AND GALLICISMS. 29
io. II est chargd de mes in- He acts as my guardian.
tdrets.
> i r.
Je m'en charge.. I take it upon myself.
12. Je vous charge de 1'or- I make you responsible for
dre. order.
13. Jemeddchargesurvous. I make you responsible in
my place.
14. Je vous charge de me I choose you as my sub-
remplacer. stitute.
EXERCICE 17 (,Charger)
Chemin
Chemin faisant. While walking on ;
the way.
II a fait son chemin. He made a success in life
( Leave me alone.
10. Passez votre chemin. ^
;
( (jo on your way.
11. Un chemineau. A tramp.
12. Un cheminot. A railroad man.
Chercher
x
I. C'est chercher une ai- It is like hunting fora needle
guille dans une botte in a haystack.
dc foin.
2. Depuis le temps qu'on I have been looking for you
vous cherche ! a long time.
3. II cherche a entrer. He is trying to find his way
in.
4. II vous cherchera noise. He will pick a quarrel with
you.
AND GALLICISMS. 31
Cheven
1. C'est tire par les che- It is very far-fetched.
veux.
2. C'est un cheveu dans la It is a hinderance.
soupe.
3. Elle sort en cheveux. She goes out bareheaded.
aux
They had a furious quarrel.
4. Elles se sont prises
cheveux.
They pulled each other's
hair.
5. II s'arrachait les che- He tore his hair in despair.
veux.
<>. II ne s'en fallaitpas de It was a hair-breadth es-
I'^paisseur d'un che- cape,
veu.
7. II a saisi 1'occasion par He seized the opportunity,
les cheveux. (he took lime by the fore-
lock).
32 FRENCH IDIOMS
EXERCICE 19 (Cheveu)
i. My hair stood on end when I read about that horrible deed.
2. The two common women had a furious quarrel.
3. We often see girls in the west
go out bare-headed.
4. He insolvent; you cannot draw blood from a turnip.
is
Version recapitulative
SUR
bouche, bout, bras, bruler, chambre, charger, chemin,
chercher, cheveu.
Mon
cher Louis. Je garde la chambre par suite d'un accident.
IIne s'en est pas fallu de 1'epaisseur d'un cheveu que je sois tue.
Tu m'as remplace a charge de revanche. Je lis les journaux d un
AND GALLICISMS. 33
aux cheveux. Les politiciens qui ont bru!6 leurs vaisseaux mene-
ront toujours le pays par le bout du nez et au bout du fosse" la
culbute.
Nous avons un cirque ambulant depuis hier. Les pitres vont
bras dessus bras dessous sur la piste, puis ils se prennent a bras
le corps et font semblant de se bruler la cervelle. Leurs facades
sont tire"es par les cheveux. L'un d'eux avait e"pingle" sur le dos
d'un compere Ghambre a louer
: A tout bout de ehamp, ils se .
Ciel
i. C'est le ciel sur la terre It is perfect happiness.
.
2. C'est un coup du ciel. It is a stroke of good fortune.
3 II ne portera pas cela He will pay me for it.
au ciel.
... i I
He is in the seventh heaven.
4 II est au troisieme ciel. f
.
\ He is perfectly happy.
5. Le ciel de 1'Italie. The climate of Italy.
, 6. Le ciel m'est t6moin. God knows.
7. Juste Ciel ! Good Heaven !
Coeur
1. A contre;-coeur. Reluctantly.
2. Get enfant a le coeur This child is just going to
gros. cry.
/
3. Get homme est un sans- This man is a heartless
coeur. wretch.
4. Cela lui donnaitdu coeur That gave him courage to
aux jambes ( x ). stand up.
5. Cela porte sur le coeur. That is nauseating.
6. C'est un creve-cceur. It is a heart breaking sor-
row.
t
7. Entre deux, mon
les I do not know which to
coeur balance. choose.
8. II a mal au coeur. He is sick (at the stomach).
9. II a une maladie de coeur. He has heart disease.
10. II a une peine de coeur. He is disappointed in love.
11. II fait la bouche en coeu r . He tries to look amiable.
12. II fait le joli coeur. He is effeminate.
13. II en a gros sur le coeur. He has reasons to feel hurt.
14. II veut en avoir le coeur He wants to make a clean
net. breast of it.
duty.
27. II a un coeur de pierre. He is merciless, heartless.
28. II s'en donne a coeur He indulges himself in a
joie. good time.
29 IIason diner sur le coeur. He cannot digest his dinner,
30. Us ne font qu'un coeur. They love each other de-
votedly.
31. Le coeur lui bat. His heart is in his mouth.
32. Le coeur lui saigne. He has a great grief.
,33. Si le coeur vous en dit If you care for it.
EXERCICE 21 (Coeur)
(i) He gives a leaf of his artichoke to. every woman he pretends to love.
FRENCH IDIOMS
Compagnie
I. Compagnied'assurances Mutual Life Insurance Com"
mutuelles sur la vie. pany.
2. Compagnied'assurances Fire Insurance Company.
centre 1'incendie.
3- Compagnie anonyme. Limited Company.
4- II nous a fauss6 compa- He slipped away from us.
gnie.
5* II
n'y a si bonne compa- The best of friends must part.
gnie qui ne se quitte.
6. Us agissent de compa- They act in concert.
gnie.
7- Je me plaisen sa compa- I like 10 be with him.
gnie.
8. Je.
vous tiendrai compa- I shall stay with you.
gnie.
9 La Compagnie duNord. The Northern Railway Com-
pany.
10. Les mauvaises compa- Bad companions wrecked his
gnies 1'ont perdu. life.
EXERCICE 22 (Compagnie)
Do you with us?
like to be
Yes, I with you every evening.
shall stay
Why did you slip away from us ?
I had to
go to the southern railroad office.
This fire insurance company is a limited company.
AND GALLICISMS. 37
Compte, compter
1. Au bout du compte. After all.
2. C'estunconcertdelouan-
ges sur son compte. Every body praises him or
II n'y a qu'une voix sur her.
son compte.
3. Comptez-vous faire for- Do you expect to make your
tune? fortune?
4. Comment fait-il son How does he manage that?
compte?
* 5. Cela ne compte pas. It is not to be taken into
consideration.
6. Donnez-moi votre Send me your bill.
compte.
7. Donnez-moi un a- Pay me a part of the bill.
compte.
8. II en a son compte. He drank too much.
9. II ne
compte pas. He is of no account.
10. II m'a fait un compte He overcharged my bill.
d'apothicaire.
n. II
y trouve son compte. He finds his profit in it.
12. II ademandeson compte. He resigned his position.
13. li a solde son compte. He has paid his debt.
14. II travaillea son compte. He works for himself.
15. II en a 6t6 quitte a bon He got off cheaply.
compte.
16. II
n'y faut pas compter. Do not expect it.
Conduire
i. C'est un homme de con- He leads an exemplary life.
duite.
a. Conduisez-vous bien. Behave well.
3. Elle a econduit son sou- She refused tjie proposal of
pirant. her lover.
4. II conduit bien sa bar- He rows his own canoe well.
que.
5. L'affaire a 6te mal con- It was badly managed.
duite.
6. Les conduites d'eau. The water pipes.
7. Nous vous ferons la We shall see you home.
reconduite.
8. Oii me conduisez-vous ? I do not see what you want
me to do.
9. Ou cela vous conduira- What will you gain by that ?
t-il>
10. Savez-vousconduire? Do you know how to drive ?
11. Vous avezune belle con- Are you not ashamed of
duite! yourself?
12. Vous le conduisez a sa You mislead him.
perte.
13. II la conduira a 1'autel. He will marry her.
EXERCICE 24 (Conduire)
Conn ait re
I. me connait I am familiar with this ob-
ject.
2. II connait le dessous des He is behind the scenes.
cartes.
3- II s'y connait. He has great experience in
the matter.
4- // la connait dans les He is thoroughly informed
coins. on all tricks.
EXERCICE 25 (Connaitre)
Do not ask me for any information; I am not behind the
scenes.
You cannot deceive him; he knows the ins and outs.
You forgot our engagement; it is just like you.
AND GALLICISMS. 41
Corps
1. Ce via n'a pas de corps. This wine is weak.
2. Cette etoffe a du corps. This is a substantial mate-
rial.
d6fendant.
I did that against my own
will.
12. Le corps du d6lit The substance of the accu-
sation.
13. Les corps de mdtiers. Trade companies.
14. Les lutteurs se prennent Wrestlers take each other
a bras le corps. by the waist.
15. Le corps de garde. The guard-house.
16 Un corps dc batiment. A block of buildings.
42 FRENCH IDIOMS
EXERCICE 26 (Corps)
1. I am entirely devoted to you, you know it.
Cote
Asseyez-vous a cotd de Sit beside me.
moi.
Cela a son bon c6t6. That is profitable in a way.
C'est le cot6 faible. It is the weak point.
Cote a" cote. Side by side.
De quel cotd allez-vous? In whatdirection do you go ?
EXERCICE 27 (Cote)
1. Do not spend all your money; save some.
2. Now that they are rich, they ignore us.
3. Sit by your mother.
I will show
4. you the weak point of the combination.
5. When he meets me in the street, he looks at me with
disdain.
6. If
you stand with the winning side, you will not miss your
Cou
1. C'est un casse-cou. He is a dare-devil.
2. II s'est jete a son cou. He embraced him.
3. II a pris ses jambes'a He took to his heals.
son cou.
4. // s'est mis la corde au He has married.
cou.
5. II est dans la misere jus- He is totally destitute.
qu'au cou.
6. II a un cou de cigogne. He has a long neck.
7. se ferait couper le cou.
II He is stubborn.
8. Ne lui laissez pas la Do not give him too much
bride sur le cou. freedom, (rope).
EXERCICE 28 (Cou)
1. When he met his father- after ten years of absence, he
embraced him.
2. When this dare-devil saw the police, he took to his heels.
3. Since he got married, he is totally destitute.
4. He will never acknowledge he is wrong; he is stubborn.
Coucher
1. Alle% vous coucherl Be off with you !
EXERCICE 29 (Coucher}
1. Ourcontract is not yet written out.
2. I was so tired that I slept with my clothes on.
Coaler
1. Au fond du couloir. At the back of the passage,
2. a coule comme de He is a fluent speaker.
source.
Let the water flow.
3. Faites couler 1'eau.
Drain the water out.
EXERCICE 30 (Couler)
Version recapitulative
SUR
del, cceur, compagnie, compter, conduire, connaitre, corps,
cote, cou, coucher, couler.
Mon cher Pere. Quand j'^tais avec vous, c'6tait le ciel sur
la terre.L'absence me ronge le cceur; les larmes me coulent des
yeux en pensant a vous. A mon retour, je me jetterai a votre cou.
Les voyages ont leur bon cfite a condition qu'on se conduise
bien, mais au bout du compte, les hommes de coeur preTerent la
famille. Je n'ai personne pour me tenir compagnie et c'est un
46 FRENCH IDIOMS
Couleur
1. Ce r6ti prend couleur. This roast meat is browning.
2. Couleur de feu. Flame color
3. De quelle couleur tour- What are trumps)
ne-t-il ?
Coup
C'est qui lui a fait le He is the guilty one.
coup.
2. C'est un coup mont6. It was prearranged.
. 3. Cela vaut le coup.
worth trying.
It is
5. Cela
m'a donneun coup. The shock was too severe.
,
6. Coup sur coup. At short intervals.
7. Ilafaitunmauvaiscoup. He commited a crime.
8. II a fait les cent coups. He is an inveterate criminal.
9. II a tire coup sur coup. He fired shot after shot.
10. Ilarenducouppourcoup. He returned all the blows.
11. II a bu un coup de trop. He had one glass too much.
I will help you.
12. Je vous donnerai un
I will speak a good word for
coup d'dpaule.
you.
They deceived him.
13. On lui a monte le coup They told him the moon is
made of cheese.
48 FRENCH IDIOMS
14-
AND GALLICISMS. 49
ExERCICE 32 (Coup)
i. No one knows who is the guilty one (culprit).
Couper
1. Ca vous la coupe W. You cannot retort to that.
2. Cela m'a coup6 bras et That has paralyzed my ef-
jambes. forts.
Courir
, i . Cette piece est tres cou- This comedy is very popular.
rue.
2. Danslecourant du mois. Sometime during the month.
3. Donnez-moi vos prix Give me your tariff.
courants.
She teaches at the pupils'
4. Elle court le cachet. residences.
She sells lesson tickets.
5. II court sur mes brisdes. He is trying to take the
wind out of my sails.
6. II court la poste. He rides post haste.
7. II court les cafds. He frequents the bars.
8. II a couru un grand dan- He was exposed to great
ger. danger.
9. II court a perted'haleine. He runs himself out of
breath.
AND GALLICISMS. 51
15. La misere court les rues. There are too many pau-
pers.
16. La monnaie courante. Legal tender.
,17. Le bruit court qu'il est There is a report that he is
mort. dead.
18. Mes dcritures sont au My books are kept up to
courant. date.
19. Nouscourrons le cerf. We shall hunt the stag.
20. Par le temps qui court. As times go.
21. Tenez-rhoi au courant. Keep me well informed
22. Un compte-courant. An open account (bank)
EXERCICE 34 (Courir}
COUPS
i. Cettepifccen'a pascours. This coin is not legal.
2. En cours de route. While travelling.
3. Hors concours (*). Already rewarded.
4. II donne cours a sa joie. He gives way to his joy.
5. Le cours des saisons. The succession of the sea-
sons.
. 6. Le cours du marchd. The market prices
7. Les cours de la bourse. The stock exchange list.
EXERCICE 35 (Cours)
1. My paper gives the stock exchange list and the market
prices every day.
2. Let me give way to my joy.
3. In Paris, coinswhich are not legal are often handled.
4. My brother is an assistant professor at the lyceum.
5. The wise succession of the seasons is a blessing from the
Lord.
6. I take notes while
travelling.
DeTendre, defense
Ddfense de marcher sur Keep off the grass.
les
gazons.
Ddfense d'afficher. Post no bills.
Ddfense de fumer. No smoking.
Ddfense d'entrer. No admittance.
(i) In the annual Painting Salon, in Paris, artists having already obtained
a medal are out of the competition, and very much honoured by this
notice placed on the frames of their exhibits.
AND GALLICISMS. 53
EXERCICE 36 (Defendre)
They forbade usto speak in church.
Let us always be prepared to repulse the attack.
Why did you disregard the order?
What's the use of posting every where No smoking, no
:
Dent
, i. C'est vouloir prendre la It is an impossibility.
lune avec les dents.
. 2. II ment comme un arra- He is a liar (story teller).
cheur de dents W.
(i) Formerly, teeth were extracted by peddlars who told the biggest lies
to the crowd surrounding their carriage.
FRENCH IDIOMS
He is on the alert.
17. II a une rage de dents. He has a fit of toothache.
iS. II vous a d6chir6 a belles He tore your reputation to
dents. pieces.
19. II a des dents comme He has very long front teeth.
des touches de piano.
20. Le cheval a pris le mors The horse ran away.
aux dents ^).
21. Les dents de lait. First teeth.
22. Un cure-dents. A tooth-pick.
EXERCICE 37 (T)ent)
1. This little girl is losing her first teeth.
2. I would not like to have a set of false teeth.
1 he whole
3. family'have nothing to eat.
4. I was so cold that my teeth were chattering.
5. I do not understand
you you do not speak distinctly.
;
Dernier
1. Ce poitnnaire est arrive This consumptive has reach-
au dernier degre de la ed the last stage of his
maladie. illness.
2. C'estdu dernier ridicule. That is exceedingly ridicu-
lous.
3. G'est de la derniere im- It is of the greatest impor-
portance. tance.
^4. C est sa derniere carte. It is the only chance left for
him.
5. C'est mon dernier souci. It is the least of my cares
. 6. Je ferai cela en dernier I shall do that ultimately.
ressort.
7. L'affaire a dt6 jugee en The case cannot be ap-
dernier ressort. pealed.
8. Mon petit dernier.
9. Mon dernier-n6. My youngest child.
EXERCICE 38 ("Dernier)
i. Do not forget my
message, of the greatest importance.
it is
Descendre
!. A quel h6tel etes-vous At what hotel are you stop-
descendu > ping ?
2. II a descendu trois per- He killed three partridges.
dreaux.
3. II descend des croisds. His ancestors were crusa-
ders.
4. II est descendu du trone. He abdicated the throne.
5. II est descendu au torn- He is dead (poetical).
beau.
6. II est descendu en lui- He examined his conscience
meme.
7. II est descendu chez He took up his abode with
nous. us.
8. II est descendu dans les He went into all the details.
d6tails.
9. faut descendre ce ta-
II
Hang this picture lower
bleau.
10. Sa voix descend bas. He has a deep voice,
n. 'Ses cheveux lui descen- Her hair reaches to her
dent a la ceinture. waist.
EXERCICE 39 (^Descendre)
1. The Emperor Charles V abdicated the throne in 1556 and
monastery of San Yuste.
retired to the
2. You had better examine your conscience.
3. When you come to Paris, take up your abode with us.
I want
4. you to go into all the details.
5. What beautiful hair she has ; it reaches to her waist.
6. We are stopping at the Metropole Hotel.
AND GALLICISMS. 57
Version recapitulative
SUR
coucher, couleur, coup, couper, courir, cours, de'fendre,
dent, dernier, descendre.
vivres de 1'ennemi.
Toutes ses victoires dtaient des coups de mattre; les fortes
defenses des villes ne 1'arretaient pas. En Italic, il battit les
Autrichiens coup sur coup, parce qu'ils ne pouvaient lui rendre
coup pour coup. Ses couleurs ont visit6 toutes les capitales.
II joua sa derniere carte et tira sa derniere cartouche a
Waterloo. La victoire des allies qui s'^taient d6fendus les armes
a la main le fit enfin descendre en lui-meme. II? purent alors
courir sur ses bris6es apres lui avoir coup6 bras et jambes. Dans
cette derniere bataille. Napoleon courut encore de grands dangers.
II couchg en joue plusieurs fois, mais pas un coup de fusil ne
fut
Devoir
1, Celadoit sefaire decette It has to be done in this
maniere. way.
2. Doit et avoir. Debit and Credit.
58 FRENCH IDIOMS
^3.
II est demon devoir de... It is my duty to...
EXERCICE 40 (Devoir)
They will have reason to be grateful to you.
It was the least thing he could do for you.
Dire
1. Autant dire. Just as well to say.
2. Aussitot dit, aussitot No sooner said than done.
fait.
31. Tout n'est pas dit. The case will come up again.
32. Un
soi-disant peintre. A self-called painter.
EXERCICE 41 (Dire)
1. We shall order the carriage for to-morrow.
2. This hash is not inviting to me.
Doig-t
C'est une question de It is a matter of tact.
doigtd.
Donnez-lui un doigt de Give him a very little wine.
vin.
Elle a un bon doigtd. Her piano technique is good.
II en mettrait son doigt He is quite sure of it.
EXERCICE 42 (Doigt)
1. During the crash, 1 was within an ace of being ruined.
2. How do you know it, Mother? A little bird told it to me.
3. If you touch his things, he will give you a rap on the
knuckles.
4. I shall
always regret having said that.
5. Our neighbor has always been a confirmed idler.
6. Allow me to tell you that you are grossly mistaken.
7. If you do a wrong thing they will point at you the finger of
scorn.
8. You did that, I am quite sure of it.
62 FRENCH IDIOMS
Donner
1. A un moment donn6. At a certain time.
2. Ce pas donne a
n'est It is not every body that can ?
Dormir
1. Autant aller dormir. Just as well to remain idle.
2. C'estun conte a dormir It is a story that will send
Dos
A dos d'ane. On a donkey's back.
11 se-met tout le monde He turns everybody against
a dos. him.
II m'a mis cela sur le dos. He cast the responsibility
upon me.
II se laisse tondre la laine He allows himself to be
sur le dos. fleeced.
II a bon dos. They cast all the blame on
him.
II a le sac au dos. He carries a knapsack (sol-
dier}.
II est toujours sur mon He follows me like a shad-
dos. ow.
8. // me scie le dos. He bores me.
9- II n'a rien a se mettre He has not a rag to his back
sur le dos.
He avoids me.
TO. II me tourne le dos.
He ignores me.
II. II fait le gros dos. He gets angry (like a cat).
12. J'ai mal au dos. My back aches.
13- fen ai plein le dos. I have enough of it (lired}.
14. J'en ai trop sur le dos. I have too many troubles.
Onles a renvoyes dos a The judge decided against
dos. both parties.
EXERCICE 4 5 (Dos)
You will turn
everybody against you.
I
beg of you not ts cast the responsibility upon me.
66 FRENCH IDIOMS
Droit
Allez tout droit. Walk straight ahead.
2. Allez a droite (mainf.). Go to the right sick.
3- C'est mon droit. It is my privilege.
4- Faites valoir vos droits. Establish your rights.
5- II fait son droit a Paris. He studies law in Paris.
6. II a droit a la retraite. He is entitled to a pension
7- II est adroit. He is clever.
8. II est maladroit. He is awkward.
9- II ne marche pas droit. He does not behave himself.
10. Je vais droit mon che- I fulfill my duties.
min. I lead an upright life.
1 1.
J'userai de mes droits. I will avail myself of my
rights.
12. Je le poursuivrai par les I shall bring a law suit
voies de droit. against him.
n- Le droit commun. Common law.
14. Le droit des gens. International law.
I
5- Les droits acquis. Possessory rights.
16. Le droit d'ainesse. The birthright.
On fera droit a votre They will grant your request.
requete.
18. Tenez-vous droit. Sit straight.
19. Vous n'avez pas le droit You are not justified in
de parler ainsi. speaking thus.
EXERCICE 46 (Droit)
He not justified in acting so.
is
Turn to the right, then walk straight ahead.
AND GALLICISMS. 07
Eau
i A vau-l'eauO). Adrift.
2. C'est une goutte d'eau It is a drop in the bucket.
dans la mer.
3. C'est de 1'eau bdnite de It is French politeness.
cour.
4* C'est porter de 1'eau a la That's like carrying coals to
riviere. Newcastle.
<;. Ce diamant est d'une This diamond is very pure.
belle eau.
6. Cette affaire est tombee This project has fallen
dans 1'eau. through.
7. Croyez cela et buvez de You will be a fool if you
1'eau. swallow all that.
8. De 1'autre cot6 de 1'eau. The Latin quarter.
9. Ellevit d'amour et d'eau She is desperately in love.
fraiche.
10. II se noierait dans un He is not resourceful.
verre. d'eau.
11. II a mis de 1'eau dans He has modified his tone.
son vin. He is not so aggressive.
12. II est comme le poisson He is as snug as a bug in a
dans 1'eau. rug.
13. II fait une pleine eau. He swims in deep water
business.
'
EXERCICE 47 (Eau)
Entendre
a* A bon entendeur salut. Forewarned, forearmed.
2. Bien entendu !
Surely 1
It goes without
saying.
3. C'est entendu. It is agreed. All right !
EXERCICE 48 (Entendre)
i. You are stubborn (entete) impossible to persuade you.
it is
Entrer
Cela entre en ligne de That is 'taken into account.
compte.
Cela rentre dans ma It is within my sphere.
comp6lence.
He took part in the action.
II est entrd en scene.
He appeared on the stage.
II est entr6 dans les He entered holy orders.
ordres.
II est entrd au service. He has enlisted in the ar-
my.
II est entr6en service. He became a servant.
II est entre en religion. He became a monk.
II est entrd en menage. He got married.
II est entre dans- cette He is connected by mar-
famille. riage with his family.
10. II entre dans votre ma- He looks at it in the same
niere de voir. light as you do.
1 1, II est entrd dans le com- He joined in the conspiracy.
plot.
12. II est entre" dans cette He is interested in this bust*
affaire. ness.
AND GALLICISMS. 71
EXERCICE 49 (Entrer}
Version recapitulative
SUR
devoir, dire, doigt, donner, dormir, dos, droit, eau,
entendre, entrer.
Esprit
1. C'est un esprit leger. He is a superficial man.
2. 11 fait de 1'esprit. He is trying to be funny.
3. II a agi par esprit de He was moved by the spirit
corps. of good fellowship.
4. II n'a pas 1'esprit desuite. He is not persevering.
prits.
L Esprit Saint. The Holy Ghost.
94. Une pointe d'esprit. A witty remark.
EXERCICE 50 (Esprit)
Elablir
1. Ce fait est 6tabli. This fact isproved.
2. II ne se rdtablira jamais. He will never be restored to
health.
3. J'dtablirai ma demeure I shall fix my residence in
a Nice. Nice.
4. Le roi 1'a rdtabli dans The king reinstated him in
ses fonctions. his office.
5 Son pere 1'a 6tabli & His father started him io
Paris. business in Paris.
5
74 FRENCH IDIOMS
Etat
1. La maison est en mau- The house needs repairs,
vais etat.
2. L'6tat des ddpenses. The list of expenses.
3. L'6tat-major de 1'armde. The military staff.
4. Les bureaux de 1'Etat. Government offices.
5. II est dans tous ses etats. He is in a paroxysm of pas-
sion.
6. II n'est pas en 6tat de He is unable to work.
travatller.
7. II est dans un etat dan- He is in a dangerous condi-
gereux. tion.
8. On a fait 6tat de vos r6- Your claim was considered.
clamations.
9. On dirait une affaire One would think it was
d'Etat. a matter of importance.
10. Ses etats de service sont His record is satisfactory,
bons.
1 1. Un etat lucratif. A paying trade.
12. Un coup d'Etat. A stroke of policy.
EXERCICE 5
1
(Etablir, elat)
1. You cannot prove this fact.
2. Where will you fix your residence ?
Etre
1. Avant qu'il soit peu. Before long.
2. est. It is done; it is overv
Qa y
AND GALLICISMS. td
ressort.
4. Ce que c'est que le cou- See what courage can do.
rage! (Gall.)
5. Cequec'estquedenous! How short our life is!
It is no importance.
of
8. C'est bien peu de chose.
Do not mention it.
9. C'est agacant. It is provoking.
10. C'est a qui mieux mieux. All vie in the competition
1 1. C'est bien autrement s6- It is far more serious.
rieux.
C'est un vieux de la He is a veteran.
vieille W.
C'est d'un rococo ! How passe it is!
C'est vieux comme H6- It as old as the hills.
rode.
15. Comme si de rienn'6tait. As if nothing at all were the
matter.
16. Elle est mani6r6e. She is affected.
17. Elle est en coquetterie. She is flirting.
18. II est a meme d'ensei- He is qualified to teach.
gner.
19. II est bel et bien mind. He is really and truly ruined.
20. II est a quia ( 3 >. He is at his wit's end..
21. II est de la haute. He belongs to the smart set.
22. II est bien 6quilibr6. He is well balanced.
23. // est allume. He is in love.
24. // est emeche. He is tipsy.
He is broken down.
25. II est bien ddcati.
He looks older than he is.
lie is hard to please.
26. II est par trop difficile.
He is rather too particular.
27. II est neuf. He is
green.
28 // est patraque. His health is very poor.
29. II est ason aise. He is comfortably well off.
chose.
37. II n'est pas plus avanc6. He is no better off.
Wait a minute.
48. Je suis a vous. Have a little patience.
59; Vous n'y etes pas encore. You have not hit it yet.
60. Y 6tes-vous ? Are you ready.
EXERCICE 52 (Eire)
raves.
42. Faites bonne garde. Keep a close watch.
80 FRENCH IDIOMS
EXERCICE 53 (Faire^ i
rfl
legon]
1. My shoes have served their time.
2. Whosf turn is il to deal? Put up your money.
I have no companion picture to this one; it does not look
3.
nice.
4. After having had her hair washed, she put on lots of finery.
5. Give our love to your family.
6. If
my partner (associe) has arrived, tell him to come in and
make himself at home.
7. How is it that you are not ready?
8. She is a good cook, but she cheats us.
9. sister is not a prude, she likes to be pampered.
My
10. Remind me to get some change from the bank.
Faire (2*
every opportunity.
4. II fait de I'escrime. He fences with foils', v
"
5. II fait son droit a Paris. He studies law in Paris.
6. II fausse route.
fait He is on the wrong track.
7. II mousser sa mar-
fait He puffs up his own goods.
chandise.
8. II fait 1'ane pour avoir He feigns simplicity in order
du son (bran). to get information.
9. II fait l'6cole buisson- He plays truant.
niere.
10. II fait la navette (shut- He travels constantly bet-
tle). ween two places.
11. II fait la sieste.
He is taking a nap.
12. II fait un somme |
AND GALLICISMS. 81
ployment.
15. II fait sa malle. He is packing his trunk.
16. II fait <du chantage. He is a blackmailer.
17. II fait ses embarras/ He is boasting.
18. II fait de I'esprit. He is trying to be funny.
19. II fait la mo_ije. He is pouting.
20. II fait bonne figure. He is a good representative.
21 . II fait son malin. He wants to be thought
smart.
22. II fait le panier a deux He has a woman on each
anses. arm.
23. II fait bon creur contre He does not show his disap
mauvaise fortune. pointment.
24. II fait les cent pas. He paces to and fro.
25. II fait ses vingt huit He is serving a short term in
thought smart.
8. If I am on the wrong track, I will not show my disappoint-
ment.
9. Do you know that fellow who sets himself up for a gent-
leman?
10. He is the black sheep of the family, because he wa's a black-
mailer.
o.
II
II
fait autorite.
fait loi.
\
}
^ .
an authorit
AND GALLICISMS. 83
II fait partie du comite. He ison the committee.
II fait bon ici. It is comfortable here.
II me fait horreur. He inspires me with horror.
II me fait poser. He keeps me waiting for him.
II me fait bonne mine He is very polite to my face.
par devant.
15. II en fait ses ddlices. He takes great delight in it.
16. II fera son chemin. He will succeed in life.
17. II fera du chemin. He will walk far.
1 8. II a fait lecoup jjgjusil. He has fought in a real war.
19. II a fait les cent coups. He is an inveterate criminal.
20. II a fait une longue ma- He has had a long illness.
ladie.
21. II a fait grace. He has pardoned.
22. II a fait preuve d'un He has shown great coolness.
grand sang-froid.
23. II a fait amende hono- He has apologized.
rable.
2. k . II a fait des siennes. He is a mischief maker.
1/25. II a faitun trou a la lune. He left the town without
paying his debts.
His foot has slipped.
/ 26. II a fait un faux-pas. He made a blunder.
27. II a fait cela de propos He acted deliberately.
ddlibdrd.'
28. II a du savoir-faire. He has tact.
29. II a le
caract^re mal fait. He is ill tempered.
30. II a fait des pieds et des He did all that was in his
mains pour r6ussir. power to succeed.
31 II a fait la
gjasse mati- He slept until almost noon.
nde.
32. II a fait une fin. He got married.
33. II a fait volte face. He changed his policy.
34. 11 a fait montre de pa- He showed how paiient he
tience. was.
84 FRENCH IDIOMS
(i) Ripaille is the name of a famous castle built by Amedee VIII, duke
of Savoy in 1435) where he retired with six kniglits after his abdication.
He did not live there the dissipated life supposed by this saying. He had
been elected Pope as Felix V, but he resigned to put an end to the schism-
AND GALLICISMS. 85
Faire (4*
way.
5. II ne fera pas de vieuxos. He will not live long.
6. II n'est pas au fait des He is not well up in our
usages. customs.
7. II n'a fait qu'entrer et He came only for a minute.
sortir.
8. II n'a pas fait un sou. He did not sell anything.
9. II se fait la barbe. He shaves himself.
IQ. II se fait une f6te de He rejoices in the prospect
vous voir. of seeing you.
n. II se fait gloire de sa He glories in his birth.
naissance.
12. II s'en fait accroire. He thinks too much of him-
self.
Faire (5
e
lepon)
fait !
partie?
43- Vous n'en faites jamais It is just like you.
d'autres.
44- Vous n'aimez pas a faire You are not obliging.
plaisir.
Fa I loir
EXERCICE 58 (Falloir)
Version recapitulative
SUR
Feu
1. Au feu! Fire! Fire!
2. C'est le coup de feu. All our customers come at
this hour.
3. C'est un feu de paille. It is only a flash in the pan.
4. Donnez-moi du feu. Give me a light (for cigars).
5. II n'y voit que du feu. He does not see the trick.
6. II a le feu sacr6. He is enthusiastic over his
art.
EXERCICE 59 (Feu)
1. When
I was at the school of Beaux-Arts in Paris, I was
enthusiastic over art.
2. It was impossible to check the fire (incendie), so they aban-
doned what could not be saved.
3. His beautiful zeal was only
a flash in the pan.
4. If you are not more saving, your money will be spent very
quickly.
5. In large cities, there are many people
in the condition ot
vagabonds.
6. You ran too much, boy, your face is very red.
7. You have been deceived; so you did not see the trick?
8. I had a very high fever after having fretted and fumed.
Figure (
Fil, filer
1. Ce rasoir a perdu son fil. This razor needs sharpening.
2. Cela ne tient qu'a un fil. The case hangs by a thread.
3. Cette malice est cousue This trick is too apparent.
de fil blanc 1 '. C
It is made conspicuous
(1) by the white thread.
(2) Notice the returned compliment.
(3) He gives his family thread to spin.
(4) Butter cannot be cut neatly with a knife. A plain piece of wire does
it
perfectly.
AND GALLICISMS.
Fin
1. A la fin des fins, vous After all, you tease me.
m'agacez.
2. A telle fin que de rai- For such purpose as may
son. be required.
3. Bien fin qui m'y pren- No one will catch me doing
d:a. that. .
EXERCICE 6 1
(Fin)
1. I shall persevere until I succeed.
2. I wish to die a good Christian.
3. Do not vie with me in cunning.
4. Iam not a good judge of dainties.
<;. When our lease has expired, we shall move.
6. Don't you see the joke?
7. Tell us the conclusion
8. This young man married at last.
AND GALLICISMS. 97
Forcer, force
Centre la force, n'y a il We have to submit to our
pas de rdsistance. rulers.
Force lui fut d'obdir. He was compelled to obey.
II fait des tours de force. He performs sleight-of-hand
tricks.
II n'est pas de force a He cannot compete
lutter.
II n'a pas la force depar- He is too ill to speak.
ler.
II a recu force horions. He was severely cudgelled.
II est d'une belle force au He is a champion billiard
billard. player.
II I'a souleve" a la force He lifted it with his arm
du poignet. extended.
II s'est enrichi a force He became rich by dint of
d'6conomie. saving.
10. J'y suis bien forcd. I cannot do otherwise.
1 1.
Je suis a bout de force. I am exhausted.
12. La serrure a dtd forcde. The lock was broken open.
13* La force prime le Might is right.
droit W.
14. Les agents de la force The police force.
publique.
15- Les forces lui manquent. His strength fails him.
16. Ne forcez pas votre ta- Do not overestimate your
lent ( 2 ).
ability.
17- On m'a prdsentd la carte I had to pay the overcharged
forcde. bill.
18. On lui a passd la cami- He was put in a strait jacket.
sole de force.
6
98 FRENCH IDIOMS
4. The burglar has broken open our lock, but he was arrested
by the police force.
5. Can you perform sleight-of-hand tricks?
I can lift this
6. weight with my extended arm, if my strength
does not fail me.
Gag-ner
1. A tout coup Ton gagne. Every round brings some-
thing.
2. II gagne de 1'argent t
1
). He makes money.
II gagne son
3. pain. He makes his living.
4. II gagne sa vie.
16. II
y a gros a gagnerdans This enterprise offers big
cette entreprise. profits.
17. Jouonsaquiperdgagne. The loser will be the winner.
18. La fievre scarlatine se Scarlet fever is contagious.
gagne.
19. Le sommeil me gagne. I am overcome with sleep.
20. L'argent est dur a ga- It is hard to make money.
gner.
21. Nous ne gagnerons rien We can't get anything from
avec lui. him. - .
Garder, g-arde
1. Dieu m'en garde 1
May Heaven preserve me
from it !
Gener, g-ene
1. Cela ne me gene pas. I do not bother about that.
2. Est-ce que je vous gene? Am I in your way?
3. II est sans gene. He is off-hand ;
uncon-
strained.
4. Us sont dans la gene. They are in great straits.
5. Madame Sans-Gene (
a
). Mrs. Free-and-Easy.
6. Ne vous g6nez pas avec Do not stand on ceremony
nous. with us.
7* Ou il
y a de la g6ne, il If you are constrained, you
n'y a pas de plaisir. have no pleasure.
8 Vous me g6nez avec cela. You inconvenience me with
that.
Gre
1. Est-ce fait & votre gr6) Is that done as you want it?
2. Je fais cela de mon plein I do that of my own accord.
gr6.
3. Je vous en sais gr6. I am grateful to you for it.
(1) As the old Marquis de la Seigliere called him, in the comedy of Jules
Sandeau.
(2) This is the first verse of an old popular song, known even in the
remotest hamlets. The / between va and en is superfluous.
AND GALLICISMS. 103
d'importance.
3. Donnez-moi n'importe Give me any thing.
quoi.
4. Faites cela n'importe Do that in any sort of a
comment. way.
5- II fait 1'important. He sets himself up for a man
of importance.
6. On 1'a tancd d'impor- He was soundly rebuked.
tance.
7. Peu m'importe! I do not care a rap !
.la ill he
1 . CetteddcLsion lui a coup6 This decision has actually
bras et jambes. staggered him.
2. Cela lui fait une belle That does not do him any
jambe! good.
3. II ne peut pas tenir sur He cannot stand up.
ses jambes.
4. II croise ses jambes. He sits with his legs crossed
5. II esthaut sur jambes. He has very long legs.
6. II court a toutes jambes. He runs at full speed.
7. II a pris ses jambes a He took to his heels.
son cou.
8. II fait la belle jambe. He poses before ladies.
II a jou6 des jambes.
He ran away.
9.
He took to flight.
10. II m'a trait6 par dessous He did not show any consi
la jambe W. deration for me.
11. II a de bonnes jambes. He is a good walker.
12. II a les jambes en man- He is bow-legged.
ches de veste.
13. II n'est passolide sur ses He is weak in the legs.
jambes.
14. Je n'ai plus de jambes. I cannot walk a step fur-
ther.
15 L'eau lui venait a mi- He was up to his knees in
jambes. water.
EXERCICE 67 (Jambe)
1. After my typhoid fever, I could not stand up.
2. In the washout (trombe d'eau) I was up to my knees in
water.
(i) As big boys, to show their disdain for the little fellows who try to
associate with taem, pass one leg over their heads.
AND GALLICISMS. 105
Jeter, jet
Cela a jetd un froid. That cooled off the audience.
C'est un dcrivain a jet He writes books one after
continu. another.
Ce moine a jetd le froc This monk renounced his
aux orties. church vows.
Elle s'est jetde a sa tete. She proposed to him.
II jette sa poudre aux He wastes his energy
moineaux.
II me jette la pierre. He blames me.
II jette des pierres dans He is too personal in his
mon jardin. remarks.
II a son feu. He has sowed his wild oats.
jet6
II a jete le manche apres He gave up trying after
failure.
10. II a jetd de 1'huile sur le He increased the quarrel.
feu. He added fuel to the flame.
11. II a fait cela d'un seul He did that at one stroke.
jet.
12. II a fait cela du premier His first attempt was a
jet. success.
(l) He threw the handle after the hatchet. Rabelais quotes in his Gargantua:
One of the sons of a
prophet in Israel, cutting wood on the shore of the river
Jordan, his hatchet forsook the handle and dropped to the bottom of the
river The handle being then of no use, without the hatchet, was thrown
after it in the water.
106 FRENCH IDIOMS
13. II a jet6 son devolu sur He has set his heart upon
elle. her.
14* Le sort en est jete. The die is cast.
Jeu
1. C'est vieux jeu. It is old fashion.
2. C'est nouveau jeu 1 ) C It is the latest fad.
3. C'est un jeu d'enfant. It is a very easy thing.
lui. culty.
stage).
19. Je me retire du jeu. I withdraw.
20. Je ne suis plus du jeu. I give it up.
21* Jeux de mains, jeux de Mauling one another is vulgar.
vilains.
22. La table de jeu. The gambling table.
23. La table a jeu. The card table.
24. Les jeux de hasard sont Gambling is prohibited.
ddfendus.
25. Les jeux de 1'enfance. The sports of childhood.
26. Remarquez le jeu de sa Notice the expression of his
physionomie. face.
EXERCICE 69 (Jeu)
Jouer
1. A qui est-ce a jouer? Whose turn is it to play?
2. Ce ressort joue bien. This spring works well.
3. C'est pour jouex. It is for sport.
4. II joue du baton. He is an expert stick in the
ring.
5. II a jou6 des coudes. He made his way through
the crowd.
6. II joue serre. He watches closely his game.
7. II a joue des jambes. He took to his heels.
8. II joue sa vie. He exposes his life to danger
9. II se joue des lois. He evades laws.
10. II a une belle boule a He is favoured by circums-
jouer. tances.
11. Us jouent au plus fin. They vie in cunning with
each other.
12. Je n'ai pas jou6 mon as. I did not lay down my ace.
13. Je jouerai le role d'Ho- I will take the part of Hor-
race. ace.
14. L'ltalien joue du cou- An Italian strikes with his
teau knife.
AND GALLICISMS. 109
EXERCICE 70 (Jouer}
1. I am quite unlucky in my investments.
2. The safe is hard to close, see if the spring works well.
3. will lay down
I best cards when
my I have a chance.
Version recapitulative
SUR
feu, figure, force, gagner, garder, gener, guerre,
fil, fin,
ou :
Qui veut la fin veut les moyens .
four
i* A chaque jour suffit sa Sufficient for the day is the
peine. evil thereof.
2. Au jour le jour (vivre). From hand to mouth.
3. Ce n'est pas tous les Christmas comes but once a
jours f6te. year.
4. Ce tableau est dans un This picture is in a bad
faux jour or a contre- light.
jour.
5. Cela viendra au jour. That will be published.
6. D'un jour a 1'autre. Any day in the near future.
EXERCICE 71 (four)
I know what
1. May your reception day is?
2. He saves as much as he can for his old age.
3. You obtain all from him when he is in good humor.
4. You can indulge yourself in a good time; Christmas comes
but once a year.
5. We cannot
read; raise the curtain for more light.
6. Your appointment may be signed any day.
Juste
C'est tout au juste, ne It is the lowest price, do not
marchandez pas. bargain.
C'est bien juste (speaking There is hardly enough.
of material or food).
Je ne sais pas au juste I do not know exactly where
ou il demeure. he lives.
Je ne peux pas trouver I cannot find the right expres-
le mot juste. sion.
Son habit est trop juste. His coat is too tight.
I^aisser
Lang-lie
II a la langue chargde His tongue is coated.
II tire la langue. He is destitute.
II donne sa langue au He gives it up (cannot
chat. guess).
II se mord la langue. He repents having spoken.
II a la langue grasse. He has an impediment in
his speech.
6. II a la langue bien pen- His tongue runs like a mill-
due. clapper.
7. II a une langue de vi- He has a venomous tongue.
pere.
8. a la lide.
( He is tied down to silence,
II langue
v He is tongue tied.
9. II a une langue dore'eC 1 ). He has an elegant way of
expressing himself.
10. II est maitre de sa lan- He never commits himself.
gue.
11. II a le mot sur le bout He has the word on the tip
de la langue. of his tongue but cannot
remember it.
EXERCICE 73 (Langue)
1. It is easier to keep silent than to repent having spoken.
2. could not give any information; I was tied to silence.
I
3.
a hard thing never to commit one's self.
It is
4. Listen to her;
she has a ready tongue.
5. Forgive
what I said; it was a slip of my tongue.
6. You may explain the case; I loosen your tongue.
7. She has
a venomous tongue; I fear her wicked words.
8. You may talk; you are dying to join in the conversation.
liettre
1. Au pied de la lettre.
2. A la lettre.
Liever, relever
A deux heures de rele- At two in the afternoon.
vee W.
Cela ne levera pas la dif- This will not solve the diffi-
ficulte. culty.
II a leve le pied. He left the city secretly.
II a Iev6 son masque. He made his aim visible.
II s'est Iev6 de table. He left the dining-room.
II a relev6 le gant. He took up the challenge.
II releve de maladie. He is just over a long
illness.
8. II ne s'en relevera pas. He will not come up again.
9. La stance est levde. The sitting is closed.
10. LePape a levdl'interdit. The Pope withdrew the ex-
communication.
11. Le levain fait lever la Yeast raises the dough
pate.
12. Levez une cuisse sur ce Carve a leg of this chicken
poulet.
13. Un lever de rideau. An opening play
EXERCICE 74 (Lettre, lever)
laer
I. Cette sauce n'est pas This sauce is not thick
assez liee. enough.
3. II est fou a Her He ought to be put in a
strait-jacket.
3. II ne veut pas ddlier les He is stingy.
cordons de sa bourse.
4. II fut Iivr6 pieds et He was manacled.
poings Ii6s.
Lieu
;. Cela donnera lieu a un That will bring about a
proces. trial.
2. Evitez les lieux com- Avoid trivialities.
muns.
3. II a bendficid d'un non- His case was dismissed.
[
'
ligne.
3. Je me suis fait une ligne I made a law for myself.
de conduite.
4. La pechea la ligne exige Fishing with a rod requires
beaucoup de patience. much patience.
5. Les troupes de ligne The infantry regiments are
sont pretes. ready.
118 FRENCH IDIOMS
cation.
EXERCICF 76
1. Washington was a superior man.
2. Will this check be taken into account?
3. My house faces the railroad track.
4. They will fix the division line between our estates.
I made it a law for
5. myself never to smoke.
Main
1. C'est fait de main de It is cleverly done.
mattre.
2. C'est a ma main. It is within my reach.
3. C'etait pr6par6 de lon- It was providedfor, long in
gue main. advance.
4 Ce fut fait en un tour de It was the work of a mo-
main. ment.
5 Ce jardin est grand This garden is very small.
commemain. la
6. Cela passe de main en That goes from one person
main. to another.
ExERcicE77 (Main)
1. Let us always agree with each other.
2. Do not hesitate to put your finger in the pie.
3. Although I did not see him do it, I would swear he did it.
'
au feu.
4. Je suis revenu les mains I returned with the bill un-
vides. paid.
5. Je lui ai mis le pain a la I
put him in the way of earn-
main. ing his living.
6. Jeremets mon sort entre I entrust myself to you.
vos mains.
7. J'ai tout sous la main. I have every thing at hand.
AND GALLICISMS. 121
EXERCICE 78 (?(fain}
Mai
C'est trfes mal de votre It is not nice of you.
part-.
C'est fait tant bien que It is done in a
perfunctory
mal. manner.
Get enfant est mal venu. This child is crippled.
Honni soit qui mal y Evil be to him who evil
pense. thinks.
II se donne beaucoup de He takes lots of trouble.
mal.
II tombe du haut mal. lie has fits of epilepsy.
II s'est fait mal avec le He has hurt himself with
marteau. the hammer.
II en a mal us6 avec He has not treated you well.
vous. He has abused you.
9- II est au plus mal. He is at his last gasp.
i o.
J'ai lemal du pays. I am home-sick.
i i .
EXERCICE 79 (Mal)
1. This crippled child also has fits of apoplexy.
Mang-er
1. a se laisse manger. It is palatable
2. C'est mange aux vers. It is moth-eaten.
3* Faute de grives, on We must be satisfied with
mange des merles. what we have.
4. II mange du pain dur.
5. II mange de la vache He endures great hardships.
enragde.
6. II ne vous mangera pas. Do not be afraid of him
7. II mange de tout. He is not particular about
his food.
8. II mange bien. He has a good appetite.
9. II mange sur le pouce. H'e eats in a
great hurry
(without a plate).
10. II mange ses mots. He clips his words.
124 FRENCH IDIOMS
bourgeon.
EXERCICE 80 (Manger)
1. I am afraid he will endure great hardships.
2. Children must be accustomed not to be particular about
their food.
3. My fur is half moth-eaten.
4. A man squandering his property is a fool.
5. This simpleton is as green as grass.
6. He will not betray him; there is honor among thieves.
7. The man has denounced his accomplices.
8. We have only ten minutes, let us eat in a great hurry.
Manqoep
1. Cela me manque beau- I miss that very much
coup.
2. Cela manque de sel. It is lacking in interest.
3. C'estun coup manqud. It is a failure.
4. Combien vous man- How much are you short?
que-t-il ?
5. 11 ne me manque que I lack only ten francs.
dix francs.
6. II a manqud a sa parole. He broke his word.
7. II n'a pas manqud 1'oc- He seized the opportunity,
casion.
8. II a manqud a son de- He has not fulfilled his duty
voir.
9. II a manqud sa vocation. He is gifted in a line which
is not his.
120 FRENCH IDIOMS
cela.
18. ne manque que la pa-
II If dogs could only speak.
au chien.
role
19. II ne manque pas un Our army is ready
bouton de guetre W.
20. II s'en est manqud de It came within an ace
peu.
21. Je ne vous manquerai I will find you later
pas.
22. Je 1'ai manqud belle! Ihad a narrow escape.
23. J'ai manqud mon coup. Imissed my aim.
2_|. Je manque a ma mere 2 ( ).
My mother misses me.
25. Le temps me manque. I am short of time.
26. Le quatrieme volume I lack the fourth volume.
me manque.
27. Le pied m'a manqud. My foot has slipped.
28. Le coeur lui a manqud. He has lost his courage.
(1) It is what Marshal I.ebceuf said to the French parliament on the eve
of the war with Germany in 1870.
(2) I am missing to my mother. In similar cases, we take the indirect
object of the English verb, to make the subject of ours, and vice versa.
AND GALLICISMS. 127
sujets a manquer.
33. Vous nous avezmanqu6. We have missed you.
34. Vous avez manqud de You failed to pay your due
payer votre cotisation. (for a club}.
35. Vous m'avez fait man- You are the cause of my not
quer la messe. attending church.
EXERCICE 8 1
(Manquer}
1. She went to every ball during the season.
2. You cannot imagine how much I have missed you.
3. Did they ask you if you had every thing you wanted?
4. Our carriage was upset so near the river that we had a
narrow escape.
5. Do not fail to pay your share.
6. This poor widow and her children are destitute.
I am
7. twenty francs short to order that suit,
g. I am liable to fail like other men.
Marcher, marche
1.
Qa ne marche pas fort. I cannot regain my health.
2. Des souliers de marche. Excursion shoes.
I am accustomed to walking
3. Je suis fait a la marche.
a great deal.
4. Je le ferai marcher. I shall bring a suit against
him.
5. Je ferai une demarche I shall speak a good word
pour vous. for you.
6. La marche des affaires. The course of business.
128 FRENCH IDIOMS
Rftarquer, marque
1. C'est un marque-mal. He has a bad appearance
2. La marque des pas. The foot-prints.
3. La marque de fabrique. The trade-mark.
4. Ma montre marque midi It is noon by my watch
Version recapitulative
SUR
jour, juste, laisser, langue, lettre, lever, Her, lieu, ligne,
main, mal, manger, manquer, menager.
L'Americain. L'Ame'ricain manage ses forces et ne manque
pas a sa parole. II a le coeur sur la main on mange bien chez :
manque de rien parce qu'il n'a pas mang son fonds et son
revenu. II peut done faire 1'aumone a pleines mains.
L'Ame'ricain se fait une ligne de conduite de ne pas se Her
d'amiti avec les Strangers. Dans les cas scabreux, il met sa
langue dans sa poche, s'il ne peut trouver le mot juste, mais il tie
s'en laisse pas compter. L'Ame'ricain, toujours leve" au petit jour,
voyage beaucoup: il a rarement le mal de mer et encore moins le
mal du pays. II visite mSme les Saints-Lieux il se menage des ;
Menag-er
1. Elle nous a mdnagd une She has managed to sur-
surprise pour Noel. prise us for Christmas.
2. II manage ses forces. He spares his strength.
3. II faut menager quatre There must be four exits.
sorties.
130 FRENCH IDIOMS
(i) A criminal, when arrested, had to put his thumbs through a kind of
manacles called poucettes.
(a) Like a tired horse which is sent on a ranch to restore its strength.
132 FRENCH IDIOMS
r*
EXERCICE 83 (Menager, mettre, i
legon)
1. You will be obliged to surrender.
2. I have taken to bed eight days ago.
my
3. His fever is so high that he does not know what to do
with himself.
4. You are right to make friends with every body.
5. When shall we start on our trip?
6. She was obliged to pawn her wedding ring.
7. France was boycotted at the time of the Dreyfus case.
8. Well, don't you see that you are wretchedly clothed?
9. You must not rack your brain on my account.
10. You do not spare your strength enough.
11. He said he had no reason to spare you.
12. We must always improve our time.
i
Je vous mets a contribu- I
expect you to contribute,
tion
2. J'ai mis la paix entre
cux
3.
T
Je les
,'..,.
mis bien
ai en-
I have reconciled them.
semble.
4. J'ai mis rrra responsabi- I have declined the responsi-
Iit6 a couvert. bility.
5. Je vous mets au nombre I number you among my
de mes amis. friends.
AND GALLICISMS. 133
(
He was dismissed.
1. On 1 a mis a la porte. <
w
He was turned out.
(
(i) As a cabman who is deprived of his job for one or two weeks, as *
penalty ;
he has then to go on foot.
AND GALLICISMS.
police station.
15. On 1'a mis a 1'ombre. They have put him in jaiL
16. On 1'a mis au pied du ( He was cornered.
mur. ( He was silenced.
17. On vous fera une forte They will give you a liberal'
remise. commission.
18. On lui a remis la jambe, They have set his broken
leg.
19. On lui a remis sa peine. He was pardoned.
20. On 1'a mis au rebut.
21. On 1'a mis au rancart |
He or it was discarded.
22. On mis le march6
lui a They have asked him to
en main. resign.
23. Sa tete fut mise a prix. A price was set upon his
head.
24. Votre robe est miee en Your dress is being taken in
main. hand.
25. Vous me mettez des ba- You oppose me in what I do.
tons dans les roues.
136 FRENCH IDIOMS
TVler
1. Ce n'est pas la mer a It is not an impossibility.
boire.
2. II boirait la mer et les He is very thirsty.
poissons.
AND GALLICISMS. 137
EXERCICE 86 (Mer).
We can be ready by Saturday; it is not an impossibility.
I am so thirsty !
M outer
1. C'est un coup montd. It is a plot.
2. Cette salade est montde. This lettuce has gone to
seed.
3. Ce vin lui monte a la This wine is heady.
tete.
viere.
On lui monte la t6te. They excite his anger.
On lui a monte un ba- They told him a story
31
teau. ( They fooled him.
Mot
Au bas mot. At the lowest estimate.
C'est un bon mot. It is a pun.
C'est le mot de la fin. It is the conclusion.
C'est le mot d'ordre. It is the pass-word.
II a toujours le mot pour He is always funny.
rire.
II n'a qu'un mot a dire. He has only to speak
II n'a pas souffl6 mot. He did not speak at all
II cherche ses mots. He cannot speak fluently
II ne mache pas ses He speaks out his miod.
mots.
10 Je lui en ai touchd un I
spoke to him about it.
mot.
Quel est votre dernier
i. What is the lowest pricer
mot?
12* Qui ne dit mot consent. Silence gives consent
13. Vous aveztrouvdle mot. That is the right expression
8. When
the stocks are rising I shall' sell my shares.
9. Why
did you not speak? Who
has excited your anger?
jo. You lost 200 dollars, at the lowesi estimate.
11. Did you speak to the president about my request?
12. You have only to speak, he will listen to you.
Mourir
C'est a mourir de rire. It is enough to make you
die with laughter.
2. Elle est morte a la fleur She died in the prime ol her
de 1'age. life.
(i) A bankrupt cannot vote as long as he has not paid all his creditor*
(Coif Napoleon}.
AND GALLICISMS. 141
EXERCICE 88 (Mourir).
. If that is known, I shall be ashamed of myself.
2. This work is too hard I will perish in the attempt.
;
Htoyen
1. Ce n'est pas le moyen It is not the way to be sue-
de rdussir. cessful.
2. Get dcolier a beaucoup This scholar is v.ery bright.
de moyens.
3. C'est dans mes moyens. I can afford to buy that.
e n en ai pas le
( It is beyond my power.
v moyen. )
(
T
I
j
cannot afford ;
it.
Xez
1. a se sent a plein nez. The smell is very strong.
2. Ce n'estpas pour son nez. He will not get it.
3. Cela lui pend au ne\. He cannot escape that.
4. II chante du nez. He talks through his nose.
His nose is bleeding.
5. II saigne du nez.
He shows the white feather..
6. II ne voit pas plus loin He does not see the conse-
que son nez. quences of his actions.
7. II a toujours le nez dans He is very fond of reading-
les livres. He is a book-worm.
8. II met son nez dans mes He meddles with my affairs--
affaires.
EXERCICE 90 (Nez)
i. Why do you not see the consequences of your actions
a. I am
very fond of reading.
3. Wedislike him to meddle with our affairs.
.4. I did not find you at home three times.
IV u it
Occuper
1.Cela 1'occupe. That keeps him busy.
2. Est-ce qu'on s'occupe Are you waited on>
de vous>
'i) It is said also of a childish gesture, putting one 'thumb at the end
of the nose and \he other thumb on the little finger so as to make a foot-
long nose.
144 FRENCH IDIOMS
CEil (I
1 1
lefon)
13. Elle n'a pas froid aux She is too free in her man-
yeux. ners.
14. II fait les yeux doux. He makes sheep's eyes.
15. II fait les gros yeux. He looks severe.
16. II fait de 1'ceil. He winks in a flirting way.
17. II cligne de 1'ceil. He winks for an understand-
ing.
1 8. II faut fermer les yeux We must ignore many
sur bien des choses. things-.
19. II a 1'oeil exerce. He has a trained eye.
20. II a un bandeau sur les He is love blind.
yeux,
21. II a jetd les yeux sur ce He glanced at that book.
livre.
22. II 1'a vu de ses deux He saw it with his own
yeux. eyes.
23. II 1'a accepte les yeux He accepted it blindfold.
fermds.
24. II a le compas dans 1'ceil. He Las good eyes for dis-
tances.
35. II a les yeux a fleur de He has goggle-eyes.
t6te.
146 FRENCH IDIOMS
29. II
yeux de travers.
a les He is cross-eyed.
30. II a plus grand ceil que He overloads his plate.
grand appdtit.
31. II a 1'oeil au beurre noir. He has received a black eye
32. II n'a d'yeux que pour His son is the apple of his
son fils. eye.
33. II n'a d'yeux que pour He dotes on her.
elle.
EXERCICE 92 (CEil, i
re
le$on)
GEil (
(CEil, 2<>
leqon)
1. When they open her eyes to the truth, it -will be too late.
2. May I
glance at your book?
3. Sp ak, my friend, I am all attention.
4. business, I have to paddle my own canoe.
In my
^. The pain was so severe that I had not a wink of
sleep.
6. I was afraid of him, he was perfectly furious.
7. Why
did you not see that? it was so conspicuous.
8. I cannot watch every thing.
9. ^lou stood in your own light, my dear,
o. What do you think of this fine view?
CEuf
C'est ia poule qui chante By talking too much, one
qui a fait 1'oeuf. commits himself.
Donnez-moi des ceufs au Give me ham and eggs.
jambon.
II tondrait Un ceuf. He is a skinflint.
II ne faut pas mettre tous Do not invest all your money
(i) in Puilleron's Le Monde ou I'on s'ennuie Act. I, Sc. iv), Paul Ray-
mond and his wife being caught exchanging kisses, she says t<> him. in
order to turn suspicion asi 'e : Souffle-moi dans I'ceil, as if a grain of dust
was in it.
AND GALLICISMS 149
Oreille
1. Cela lui entre par une He pays .no attention to
oreille et lui sort par what he is told.
1'autre.
2. II n'entend pas de cette He turns a deaf ear.
oreille-la.
tues.
EXERCICE 95 (Oreille)
Ouvrir
1. Cette porte s'ouvre This is a swinging door.
seule (Une porte foils}.
2. II s'en est ouverf a moi. lie told me his secret.
3. Je lui ai ouvert les yeux. I showed him the danger.
4. Je lui ai ouvert ma mai- I offered him the hospitality
son. of my house.
5 Je me suis ouvert un I made my way out.
passage.
6. Lecaviarouvrel'appdtit. Caviar excites an appetite
7. L'avenir s'ouvre brillant He has a very promising
devant lui. future.
8. Ma bourse vou? est ou- If you need money let me
verte. know.
152 FRENCH IDIOMS
9. On
a ouvert un canal.
They have dug a canal.
10.Ouvrez-moi votre coeur. Tell me your secret.
n. Ouvrez 1'oeil, et le bon. Be on your guard.
EXERCICE 96 (Ouvrir)
1. The United States are digging the Panama Canal.
2. Thank you for having showed me the danger.
3. Dear friend, tell all your secrets to your mother.
4. If you ever come to Paris, I will offer you the hospitality ot
my house.
5. In a great panic it is difficult to make one's way out.
6 All my friends advised me to be on my guard.
Pain
1. Ce fut vendu pour un It was sold for a song.
morceau de pain.
2. C'est pain b6nit. It serves him right.
3. C'est mon gagne-pain. It is my
business.
.}.
Du pain d'epice. Ginger bread.
). II mange du pain noir. He is in hard circumstances.
6. II mange du pain blanc. He has the necessaries of life.
7. II mange le pain des He lives on the hospitality
autres. of his friends.
8. II mendie son pain. He is a beggar.
9. II n'a pas un morceau He is absolutely destitute
de pain a se mettre
sous la dent.
10. II rend le
1
pain b6nit C '. He offers the holy bread in
church.
1 1* II
promet plus de beurre He promises more than he
que de pain. can give.
12. II lui retire le
pain de la He deprives him of the ne-
bouche cessities.
13. II a son pain assure. He is pensioned.
14. II gagne son pain. He makes his living.
15: II mange son pain sec. He has nothing to eat but
bread.
16* II a du pain sur la plan- His living is provided for.
che (0.
17. Je ne mange pas de ce I do not accept any dishonest
pain-la. transaction.
18. Le pain de munition. Special bread for soldiers.
19. Le pain de vie. Eucharist.
20. Le pain des anges.
21. Le pain est dur a ga- it is hard to earn bread and
gner. butter.
22. Son pain-est cuit. He has an income to live on.
(i) Like soldiers receiving a loaf of bread for four days, which they keep
on the shelf over their bed
9-
154 FRENCH IDIOMS
Paix
1. En temps de paix. While at peace.
2. Faisons la paix. Let us forget our wrongs.
3. Fichez-moi la paix. Leave me alone.
4. II repose en paix. He is buried.
5.
II ne vous laissera pas He will harass you.
la paix.
6. Us vivent en paix. They agree perfectly.
7. J'aime la paix. I likecalm relations.
8. J'ai misla paixchez eux. I have reconciled them.
g. La paix du mdnage. Conjugal understanding.
10. La paix soit avec vous !
May you live in peace !
Version recapitulative
SUR
mer, mettre, monter, mot, mourir, moyen, nez, nuit, occuper,
ceil, ceuf, oreille, ouvrir> pain, paix.
mier ou
,
La nuit, tous les chats sont gris , ou II ne faut
Papier
1. C'est mis sur le
papier. It is written.
2. C'est r6gle comme pa- It comes regularly.
pier de musique.
3. Du papier d'emballage. Packing paper.
4. Du papier de verre. Emery paper.
5. Du papier a dessin. Drawing paper
6. Du papier a lettres. Writing paper.
7. Da papier a
musique. Ruled music paper.
8. Du papierbuvard. Blotting paper.
<j.
II m'a envoyd du papier He has filed an action in
timbrd W. court against me.
10. Je suis dans ses petits He thinks a great deal of
papiers. me.
11. Les papiers de manage. All the required certificates
for marriage.
12. Les papiers peints. Wall paper.
13. Ou
sont vos papiers? Show your identifications.
14. Sac a papier ! Gracious dear me! !
Parole
1. Ce sont des paroles en What he says is of no con-
1'air. sequence.
2. Elle a repris sa parole. She broke the engagement.
3. II ne manque que la pa- If dogs could only speak!
roleau chien.
4. Jevousdonne ma parole. You can rely upon me.
Je n'ai qu'une parole. lama man of my word.
La parole est au canon. Only war can decide the
case.
7. Les officiers 6taient pri- The officers were paroled.
sonniers sur parole.
8. Ne me coupez pas la Do not interrupt me.
parole.
9. Tout ce qu'il dit est pa- All he says is blindly be-
role d'Evangile. lieved.
10. Vous avez la parole. You have the floor.
11. Vous n'etes pas de pa- You do not keep your word.
role.
EXERCICE 99 [Parole]
i. Why did you not keep your word?
a. The chairman told me it 'yas my turn to speak.
AND GALLICISMS. 157
Part
i* A chacun sa part. To each one his due.
a. A part cela, tout est Except that, all is well.
bien.
3. Faites-moi part de vos Tell me your troubles.
peines.
4. II faut aller autre part. Youmustgosomewhereelse.
5. Ilavait la poitrine trouee
He was shot through and
de part en part. through.
6. Us ont tort de part et They are both wrong.
d'autre.
7. Je prends part a votie I sympathize with you.
malheur.
8. J'en ai pris ma bonne I took more than my share.
part.
9. Je 1'ai mis quelque part, I
put it somewhere.
ic. Je me dis a part moi. said to myself.
I
Parti
1. Cette fille est un bon This girl is a rich match.
parti.
2. De quel parti etes-vous? How do you vote >
voyager.
T, . ( I accept the inevitable.
6. en prends mon parti. '
)
do not complain.
1
Partie
1. C'est partie remise. will come later.
That
2. I! fait partie du comitd. He is on the committee.
3. II vous prendra a partie. He will take you to task.
4 La maison a ete en par- The house was partly burnt
tie brulee.
5. Voulez-vous faire une Will you take a hand >
partie?
6. Voulez-vous etre de la Will you join us ?
partie?
EXERCICE 100 (Part, parti, partie}.
1. We vote with the republicans.
2. If you sympathize with me, I shall tell you my troubles.
3. You are both in the wrong.
4. Icannot turn that to account.
5. Ifyou do not side with me, I shall not complain.
6. As I am on the committee, I take you to task.
7. You must go somewhere else.
8. As it rains to day, that will come later.
Pas (noun)
1. Cocher, allez au pas. Coachman, let the horse
walk.
2. Faites un pas en arriere. Step back a little.
AND GALLICISMS. 159
1'dglise. church.
7. Ilest revenu sur ses pas. He has retraced his steps.
8. II faut aller pas a pas. You must be prudent.
g. II marche a petits pas. He walks slowly.
10. II allongeait le pas. He walked faster than usual
11. II a saute le pas. He is dead.
12* II n'y a que le premier The first attempt is the most
pas qui coute. difficult.
Passer (/"
T .
f ,, / You must accept that.
24. II faut en passer par la. rr , ,.
(
There is no alternative.
25. Us ont pass6 la riviere a
They crossed the river at a
gu6. ford.
26. Te passerai sur cela. \ , , ,, r u .
4. Your father said, as you did what he forbade you, you will
have to deal with him.
5. This exercise must be written over again.
6. What you said and did is beyond my comprehension.
vie.
Patte
1. A has les pattes I Hands down !
Payer
1. Chacun paie son 6cot. It is a Dutch treat.
2. C'est impayable. It is a capital joke.
3. Cette entreprise paiera This business is a good in-
bien. vestment.
4. II paie largement ses He gives liberal wages.
ouvriers.
5 . II a pay6 de sa personne. He exposed his life on that
occasion.
6. II me le paiera. He will answer me for it.
7. II s'en paie. He has a good time.
8. II
paie de mine. He has a prepossessing ap-
pearance.
9. II est payd pour ?a. It is his duty.
10. II m'a pay6 a boire. He treated me with a drink.
n. II paie en monnaie de He never pays his debts.
f
1
singe ).
12. Us ont pay6 cher leur The victory cost many lives.
victoire.
13. Je vous paierai cela au- I shall return the compli-
trement. ment.
14. Nous payons le tribut a We must all die
la nature.
Peine
i Ce n'est
la peine.
pas It is not worth while.
Percer
1 . Cette baudruche est per- This vain man committed
c6e. himself.
2. II faut percer le mur. An opening must be made
in the wall.
3. II faut percer des trous You must make holes for the
pour les vis. screws.
4. La pluie a percd mes The rain has wet me
habits. through.
5. Le furoncle est perce. The carbuncle has opened
itself.
6. Mes gants sont percds. There are holes in my glo-
ves.
7. Nous percerons ce mys- We shall solve this mys-
tere. tery.
EXERCICE 106 (Peine, percer}
i. Please come in. Thank you, it is not worth while.
a. I failed, so I had all my trouble for nothing.
3. You have grieved me with your remark.
4. You know I am in trouble and that I shall have to work all
my life.
Perelre
22. On perd pied dans 1'e- The pond is over six feet
tang. deep.
23. Rien ne se perd. Nothing is wasted.
Pied
1. Acheter la r6colte su.r To buy the crop before it is
pied. cut.
2. C'est un vers de dix It is a verse of ten syllables.-
pieds.
3. Elle a jou6 ce r6le au She played her part without
pied leve W. rehearsing.
4. Elle m'a pris au pied She caught me as I was
Iev6. going out.
maison. family.
8* II a trouv6 chaussure a He found just what he
son pied. wanted.
9. II a mis pied a terre. He has alighted.
10. II a un pied-a-terre a He has a little box of a place
Paris. in Paris.
11. 11 a mis les pieds dans He has put his foot in it.
le plat.
12. II a bon pied, bon ceil. He is hale and hearty.
13. II a un pied-bot. He is club-footed.
14. II a le pied marin. He is never sea-sick.
15. II a leve le pied. He is bankrupt.
1 6. II est encore sur ses He still manages to keep his
pieds. (business). head above water.
17. II est sur pied a cinq He gets up at five in the
heures du matin. morning.
1 8. II est sur pied, (reco- He is again on his feet.
vered).
19. II est arm6 de pied en He is armed from head to
cap. foot.
20. 11 est sorti les pieds de- He is dead.
vant O.
21. II est mis a pied. He is temporarily dismissed.
22. II est reparti du bon He resumed business with
pied. good backing.
23. II marche sur la pointe He is walking on tip-toe.
des pieds.
(i) General Andr6, Minister of War, used once this expression to inier
he would never resign his high post.
10
170 FRENCH IDIOMS
pied. aroused.
52. Une reverence pied-de- An ungraceful courtesy.
veau <1 >.
EXERCICE 1 08 (Pied)
Pierre
Piquer
1. Ce vin pique le gosier. This wine is sour.
2. Ce nest pas pique cies It is not moth-eaten it
(fig.
vers. is severe).
3. Elle s'est piqu6 une rose She has fixed a rose in her
dans les cheveux. hair.
4. Elle a piqud un fard. She blushed.
5. II a piqu6 des deux. He spurred his horse has-
tily.
6. II se pique pour un rien. He is very touchy.
7. II se pique d'esprit. He poses as a witty man.
. II est un pique-assiette. He is a parasite.
9. // se pique le nez. He is a confirmed drinker.
10. Je suis piqu6 au jeu. The competition excites me.
11. Quelle mouche vous What makes you cross?
pique ?
12. Sa curiositd est piqu6e. His curiosity is aroused.
13. Vous 1'avez piqu6 au vif. You have hurt his feelings.
Plaisir
Pleurer
i. A quoi bon pleurer} What is the use of feeling
EXERCICE 1 1 1
(Pleurer)
Point
1. A mon point de vue. According to my opinion.
2. Ce n'est point a faire. This is not allowed.
3. Ce bifteck est cuit a This steak is cooked just
point. right.
4. C'est du point d'Alen It is a real lace from Alen-
con. con. .
EXERCICE 1 12 (Point)
Version recapitulative
SUR
Porter, portee
1. Ca se porte maintenant. It is the present fashion.
2. Ce vin me porte a la tete. This wine goes to my head.
3. Ce fusil porte a mille This gun has a range of a
pieds. thousand feet.
4. Cela vous portera This will bring you good
chance. luck.
5. Cela porte malheur. That brings ill luck.
6. Cela porte coup. That hits home.
178 FRENCH IDIOMS
7- Cela lui porte sur les That makes her nervous.
nerfs.
8. Cela lui porte sur le That gives her nausea.
coeur.
9. C'est a ma portee. It is within my reach.
age.
15. II me porte intdret. He takes interest in me.
16. II me porte prejudice. He wrongs me.
17. II porte le deuil. He is in mourning.
18. II porte beau. He presents a fine appea-
rence.
19 II porte un beau nom. He is of a noble family.
20. II porte la t6te haute. He has nothing to be asham-
ed of.
(i) This bridge, built by Henri IV*. was the first one made of stone,
and the strongest in Paris.
180 FRENCH IDIOMS
Pot
i* C'est le pot de terre A poor man cannot plead
centre le pot de fer. against a rich one.
2. Donnez-moi h cuiller a Give me the ladle.
pot.
3. II tourne autour du pot. He beats about the bush.
4* II a mis les petits pots He got out all his pots and
dans les grands. pans for the occasion.
AND GALLICISMS 181
Pousser
i Cetenfantpoussecomme One can see that child grow
un champignon 1 ). I
Pouvoir
Advienne que pourra ! Let come what may!
Cela ne se peut pas, It is impossible.
seignements ?
3. Bien m'en a pris (Gall.). I was well inspired.
4. Ca prend toujours. It is always successful. (//
biles).
5. Ca ne prend pas It is a failure.
6. Ce cheval a pris le mors This horse ran away (it look
aux dents. the bit between its teeth).
laisser.
10. C'est autant de pris sur It is so much gained.
1'ennemi.
i:. C'est un repris de jus- He is a former convict.
tice.
12. Get arbre a bien pris. This tree is well rooted.
13* Chacun prend son plai- Every one enjoys himself in
sir ou il le trouve. his own way.
She is put out.
14. Elle a pris la mouche. She has been vexed about a
(fly-) trifle.
25. II
prend le travail a He sets to work heartily.
coeur.
26. II en prend a son aise. He takes it very easily.
27. II a pris un ton sdvere. He assumed a severe tone
28. II a pris mes int6r6ts en He acts as my guardian.
mains.
29. II a pris les devants. He went on ahead of the
party.
30. II a pris fait et cause He sided with me.
pour raoi.
pas.
33. Vos hotlines prennent Your shoes let in water.
Teau.
34. Vous me prenez pour You mistake me for a sim
un autre. pleton.
35. Vous prenez mal mes You misunderstand me.
paro'ies.
36. Vous vous y prenez mal. You set about it badly.
1. I
pity this child; let us adopt him.
2. You are hard to manage; look out!
3. You may read this letter through.
4. There is no hurry to return it to me.
Quoi
1. A quoi bon pleurer? Wha-t^is the use of crying?
2. De quoi s'agit-il? What is 'the question?
3. Eh bien! quoi) What is the matter?
4. II n'y a pas de quoi pleu- There is no reason to weep.
rer.
EXERCICE 1 20 (Quoi)
1. I have not enough to live on.
2. We have enough in hand for the present.
Rapporter
1. rapporte, bon an,
a It brings a yearly average
mal an, mille francs. thousand francs.
-of a
2. Ce fait se rapporte a la This connected with
fact is
(1) Bossuet, in one of his Oraisons Funkbres, said that the body, after
u
death, becomes un je ne sais quoi" qui n'a plus de nom dans aucune langue.
192 FRENCH IDIONfS
Relever
1. Cela a relevd mon cou- That has encouraged me
rage. anew.
2. Cette sauce n'est pas This sauce is not spiced
assez relevde. enough.
3. Elle est relevde de son Her vow is cancelled by the
voeu. Pope.
(i) A liberal law voted in 1850, granting freedom of teaching to all gra.
duates; it will soon be cancelled, in order to suppress the Catholic schools.
AND GALLICISMS. 193
great energy.
194 FRENCH IDIOMS
Rendre
i. Cela se rend ainsi en It is translated thus into
Francais. French.
2. Cela rend bien ma pen That exactly conveys my
see. idea.
3. C'est a rendre fou ! It is enough to drive one
mad.
4. C'est une justice a lui It is a credit due to him.
rendre.
5. C'est un pr6t6 pour un It is tit for tat.
rendu.
6. Ce climat lui a rendu la This climate has restored his
sant6. health.
7. Ce violon rend des sons This is a soft toned violin.
doux.
8. Cette viande rend beau- This meat is very juicy.
coup de jus
g. Elle lui rend la vie dure. She makes his life a burden
tohim.
10. II a rendu le dernier He has breathed his last.
soupir.
11. II a rendu 1'ame hier. He died yesterday.
12. II a rendu son tablier. He has resigned his posi-
(apron.) tion.
13. II faut toujours rendre A bow must be returned.
un salut.
14. II s'est rendu a votre He answered your call.
appel.
15. II s'est rendu coupable He is an embezzler.
de ddtournements.
16. II me rendra raison. I will challenge him.
17. 11 ne se rend
jamais. He is never convinced.
18. II vous rendrait des He is more than a match for
points. you
AND GALLICISMS 195
13. Wewill do you justice, if the court does not give you jus-
tice.
Hester, reste
Apres vous, s'il en reste. Help yourself first.
Ca se sait de reste. People know too much of
this sad case.
C'est tout ce qui me That is all I have left.
reste.
Combien vous reste-t-il ? How much money have you
left?
II est rest6 le bee dans He was very much disap-
l
1'eau ( \ pointed.
II ne peut pas rester en f
He is too nervous.
place. ( He cannot keep a situation.
II m'en reste un bon I remember it with pleasure.
souvenir.
II n'a pas demands son He left the place suddenly
reste. in fear.
He is not communicative.
g. II reste boutonnS. He never commits himself.
He is a very reserved man.
10. Us sont restds deux heu- They have waited two hours
res a vous attendre. for you.
1
Je reste a mon poste.
1. I will not resign.
12. J'en suis rests de la. I was perfectly amazed.
13. Je sais ce qu'il me reste I have to prosecute you.
a faire. I see plainly my duty.
14. Je jouis de mon reste. My pleasure is at an end.
I can spare some of it.
1. J'en ai de reste.
I have more than enough.
Rite
1. C'est un pince-sans-rire. He is very caustic.
2. II rit a gorge deployde. He is laughing heartily.
Roi
i* Au royaume des aveu- Among ignorant people, he
g!es, les borgnes sont who knows a little is a
rois. king.
1. II est heureux comme un He is as happy as a lark. -
Ronipre
II estrompuaux affaires. He is a thoroughly trained
business man.
2. Us ont rompu en visiere. They struck each other in
the face.
J'ai rompu une lance I had an argument with my
avec mon maitre. master.
J'ai la t6te rompue. I have worked too much.
Je suis rompu. I am exhausted.
La glace est rompue We have made the acquain
entre nous. tance of each other.
Le chasseur a rompu les The hunter called off the
ch'iens. dogs.
Nous avons rompu la We are no longer friends.
paille.
On a applaudi a tout They applauded loudly.
rompre.
EXERCICE 125 (Rompre)
He is not yet a
thoroughly trained business man.
After the speech, they applauded loudly.
This noise makes my head ache.
(i) A big cake called galettf and containing a broad bean or a tiny por
celain doll, is cut into as many pieces as there are guests. The person
who gets the bean or doll is king or queen of the occasion and must select
a consort from the company.
200 FRENCH IDIOMS
Sang
Cela vous donnera du That will make you stron
sang.
II a eu un coup de sang. He had a stroke of apoplexy.
II sang bleu.
a le He is of noble extraction.
II s'est fait une pinte de He had a good time.
bon sang.
II se fait du mauvais He is worrying.
sang.
6. // se mine le sang. He is worrying himself to
death.
-. II sue sang et eau. He is in a dripping perspira
tion.
8. II est tout en sang. He is bleeding terribly.
9. II a beaucoup de sang- He has great self-control.
froid.
10. II n'a pas de sang dans He has no energy.
les veines.
11. Je donnerais jusqu'a la I would give my life.
Savoir
1. A savoir :... Namely :...
2. Ca se sait. The news is spread.
3. II ne sait a quel saint se He does not know which way
vouer. to turn.
society.
10* II plaide le faux pour He alleges what is false in
savoir le vrai. order to get the truth in
answer.
ii. II a du savoir. He. is well educated.
*
12. Je vous sais gre". I am grateful to you.
13. Je ne saurais mentir. I cannot tell a lie.
14. J'ai fini par savoir cela. I have learned that finally.
15. On sait ce qu'on dit. I speak with good autho-
rity.
1 6. Pas que je sa^che. Not that I know of.
Sentir
1. Qa se sent de loin. This odor ispenetrating.
2. Qa sent la poudre 2 ). ( There is a quarrel at hand.
3. Elle ressent quelque She has some affection for
chose pour lui. him.
4. II sent ce qu'il vaut. He is conscious of his merit.
<;. II ne peut pas me sentir. He hates me.
6. II me le fait sentir. He is revengeful.
7. II ne sent pas qu'il fait He does not realize he is
mal. wrong.
8. II ne se sent pas de He cannot restrain his joy.
3
joie( >.
Version recapitulative
SUR
le mot pour rire. II en prend a son aise, mais il fait tout en son
savoir.
Sa devise est : Rira bien qui rira le dernier et Honni soit
qui mal y pense .
Servir
1. A quoi cela sert-il? What is the use of that?
2. Ce marchand nous sert This merchant has supplied
depuis dix ans. us for ten years.
3. Ce balai sert depuis This broom has been used
deux ans. for two years.
AND GALLICISMS. 20.J
Sel
There is not enough salt.
i. Ca manque de sel.
There no humor
is in that.
It is quite immoral.
C'est sale.
The bill is overcharged.
3 II a mis son grain de sel He gave his opinion unasked.
4. Je vais lui saler $a. I will give it to him.
5. Le sel de la conversa- The wit of a conversation.
tion.
Soleil
Sortir
A la sortie du theatre. At the close of the play.
Au sortir de 1'hiver. At the end of winter.
Cela m'est sorti de la That escaped my memory,
mdmoire.
C'est un jour de sortie. It is a holiday.
Cela sort des mains de It is quite new.
1'ouvrier. It is just finished.
D'ou sort-il? (green). From what country is he >
II sort des gonds (2) . Me is out of temper.
II sort de la maison He was a clerk of the firm
un-tel. so-and-so.
II sort du college. He has completed his edu-
cation.
10. II sort de maladie. He has just recovered from
an illness.
(1) A
rising sun was part of T-ouis XI V's coat of arms. The emblem is-
stillto be seen on every balcony in the Place Vendome, Paris, built under
his reign.
(2) Gonds, hinges of a door.
208 FRENCH IDIOMS
Suivre, suite
1. A suivre. To be continued.
2. a se suit bien. It reads well.
3. II ne s'ensuit pas que It does not follow that you
vous ayez tort. are wrong.
4. II est mort des suites de He died of his wound.
sa blessure.
5. II a beaucoup de suite
dans les idees. He is always logical.
6. II a 1'esprit de suite.
7. Je ne vous suivrai pas I decline discussing that sub-
sur ce terrain. ject with you.
8. La suite au prochain To be continued in our next.
numdro.
9* Les jours se suivent et Days differ.
ne se ressemblent pas.
10. On 1'a poursuivi l'6pee They chased him closely.
dans les reins.
1 1 . On a suivi sa piste. They kept track of him.
12. Pouvez-vous me suivre? Do you understand my argu-
ment >
13* Qui m'aime me suive. My friends may join me.
14. Quel but poursuivez- What is your aim >
vous?
i<;. Que s'en est-il suivi
16. Quelles ont et6 les What was the consequence >
suites?
17. Suivant ! ( ]
). Next (in a !
class.)
18. Tout de suite. At once.
Table
1. A table! Dinner is ready !
Tailler, taille
1. Ce diamant est bien This diamond is well cut.
tailld.
2. Elle a une taille fine. She is slender.
3. II a une taille avanta- He is over six feet tall.
geuse.
4. II n'a pas la taille. He is too short for the
army.
5. II est tailld comme un He is strongly built.
Hercule.
6. II frappait d'estoc et de He struck with the end and
taille. the edge of his sword.
7. II est de taille a se de- He is able to fight for him-
fendre. self.
8. Je vous taillerai de la I will prepare some work
besogne. for you.
9. L'arm6e fut taillee en The army was completely
pieces. routed.
10. Les nobles etaient The nobility did not pay
exempts de la taille. the taxes.
11. Lataille des cheveux A hair cut costs one franc.
coute un franc.
12. On lui taillera des crou- They will raise difficulties
Temps
1. Accordez'-moi du temps. Give me an extension of
time.
2. C'6tait le bon temps ! We were happy then !
4. You will not be a soldier; you are too short for that.
5. 1 cannot pay you if you do not grant me an extension of
time.
6. This gay fellow never worries.
I want to have a had none in former
7. good time now, as I
times.
8. Not to be in a hurry is different from loafing.
Tend re
i. II tend la main aux pas- He begs from the passers-
sants. by.
tenez...
13. Elle tient bien sa classe. She is a good disciplinarian.
14. II tient le bon bout. He holds his securities.
15. II tient le fil del'intrigue. He knows the plot of the in-
trigue.
1 6. 11 tient le d6 de la con- He has the floor.
versation.
17. II tient son fils de pres. He watches his son closely.
1 8. II tient le lit. He is ill in bed.
19. II tient 1'orgue de la Ma- He is the organist of the Ma-
deleine. deleine.
20. II tient de l'6picerie. He sells groceries.
21. II tient la caisse du ma- He is the cashier of the firm.
gasin.
22. II tient la queue de la He bears all the responsi-
poele. bility.
23. II tient la corde or la He is leading.
t6te.
1. I am
in his power, because he has his securities.
2. Ithink I know the plot of the intrigue.
3. You should watch your son more closely.
4. He
is one of your followers.
(i) A polite form to disnrss some one. It was a favorite one with Na-
poleon 111 after each meeting of his ministers of state.
13
218 FRENCH IDIOMS
(Gall.)
30. Qu'est-ce quivous tient? What is the matter with you ?
31. Si je ne me retenais Should give way to my in-
I
pas! dignation!
32. Tenezllevoilaqui passe. Look there he
! is passing.
33. Tenez cela pour dir. Remember what I said.
34. Tenez-vous tranquille! Keep still!
Sit straight.
35. Tenez-vous droit. Stand up straight.
(i) In Victor Hugo's Hernani (Act I, sc. II) when Don Carlos, in the
wardrobe, invites his rival to join him.
AND GALLICISMS. 219
39. Tenez lui la bride haute. Keep a tight hand over him
40. Tenez-lui la dragee Ask him a big price.
haute.
41. Tiens! tiens! tiens! Well! well! well!
42. Une sotte d6fiance le re- He is held back by a foolish
tient. diffidence.
43. Votre menace les tiendra Your threat will keep them
en haleine. on the watch.
Terre
1. A six pieds sous terre. In the cemetery.
2. II est en terre. He is in the grave.
220 FRENCH IDIOMS
Tete
1. Ce vin monte a la tete. This wine is a trifle heady.
2. Cette tete-la ne m'est I have seen this man some-
la tete?
Tirer
1. Cela m'a tir6 une epin'e It relieved me from great
du pied. embarrassment.
2. Combien retirez-vous de What does this house bring
cette maison? you?
3. Comment allez-vous How will you get out of this
vous tirer de la? trouble?
4. 11 est tir6 a quatre dpin- He always looks as if he had
stepped out of a band-
1
gles( ). just
box.
5. II a tire des plans sur la He built castles in the air.
comete.
6. // tire la langite. He is destitute.
7. II a tir6 au sort. He drew lots for his military
service.
8. // s'est lire des pieds. He took to his heels.
9. II y a du tirage. The couple do not live in
harmony.
10. 11 a retird son 6pingle He took his profit before the
du jeu. others.
11. 11 n'y a plus qu'a tirer There is nothing more to be
l'6chelle. (ladder.) said or done..
12* II tire les marrons du They made a cats-paw of
feu. him.
13. Ils tirent a la meme They work in harmony.
corde.
Tomber
1. Ca tombe bien. ) T
/^ ( It comes at the right mo-
(,,a tombe
2. a pic. (
ment.
3. a tombe a point-
page. attempt.
28. La conversation tombe. The conversation is lack-
ing in interest.
29. La conversation est tom- He became the subject of the
bde sur lui. conversation.
30. Le vent est tomb6. The wind calmed down.
3 1 . Les cheveux lui tombent Her hair comes down as far
a la ceinture. as her waist.
32. Le lutteur 1'a tomb6. The wrestler had the best
of him.
33. Noel tombe le dimanche Christmas comes on Sunday
cette ann6e. this year.
34. Port-Arthur est tombd The Japanese captured Port
aux mains des Japo- Arthur.
nais.
35. Son nom est tombd dans His name is forgotten now.
1'oubli.
2. 1
you, this comedy will be a failure.
tell
amazed at it.
Toucher
Cela ne me louche en I have nothing to do with
rien. that.
Cela ne me louche pas. I am not softened by that.
C'esl bien touch.6 It is a good shol.
II touche bien del'orgue. He plays skilfully on the
organ
II n'a pas 1'air d'y tou- He looks as if butler would
cher. nol mell in his moulh.
II a Iouch6 ses appoinle- He has received his salary
ments
II me louche de pres. He is relaled lo me.
Je dois loucher de 1'ar- Some money is due lo me.
genl.
Je lui en ai louchd un I
spoke to him about it.
mot.
10. Je suis louchd de votre I am moved by your kind-
bontd. ness.
ii. La grace 1'a touchd. He is a convert.
12 La Sainte-Touche. Pay day.
13- L'hiver louche a sa fin. Winter will soon end.
14. Ma maison louche a la My house is close to yours
votre.
Ne touchez pas cela. Do not put your fingers on
thai.
16. Ne touchez pas a cela. Do not use that.
17. Nous louchons au porl. We shall soon land.
1 8. Ne louchez rien. Do not remove anything.
228 FRENCH IDIOMS
4. I
you are related to him.
pity you, as
5. Do
not use my writing paper.
6. Whyare you so hard to move? do you not pity them?
7. I am not softened by all that you say.
8. Is not your house close to the church?
Version recapitulative
SUR
scl, servir, soleil, sortir, suivre, table, tailler, temps, tendre,
tenir, terre, tete, tirer, tomber, toucher.
L'ltalien. L'ltalien aime la Sainte-Touche ;
avec lui, 1'argent
tombe toujours & pic. De temps en temps, langue parce
il tire la
qu'il a tir6 trop de plans sur la comete,, Dans les reunions
publiques, il crie a tue-tete et souvent la colere le tie,nt. Quand il
est pauvre, il tend la main aux passants et tue le temps avec son
accordion. C'est un Roger Bontemps.
Au physique, il n'est pas taille en Hercule; souvent il n'a pas
la taille pour Stre soldat. II a ordinairement une belle tete, de
(i) From n'y touche', qui n'a pas 1'air d'y toucher.
AND GALLICISMS. 229
Tour
i. A qui le tour? Who is next?
mauvais tour.
8. Connaissez-vous ce tour Do you know this sleight-
de passe-passe ? of-hand-trick ?
Trainer, train
1. Au train dont il y va... At the rate he goes...
2. Cela traine partout. You can find that every-
where.
3. Get oiseau traine 1'aile. This bird droops its wing
4. 11 trainait depuis long- He had been ill for a long
temps. time.
232 FRENCH IDIOMS
<;.
II nous a mends bon He drove us rapidly,
train.
6. II fait du train. He is noisy.
7. II est en train d'etudier. He is busy studying.
8. II va toujours son train. He goes on his old way
9. II n'est pas en train. He is not in good spirits.
10. II est fort en train, He is in high spirits.
11. II est le boute-en-train. He is the life and soul of the
party.
12. II mene un train d'enfer. He drives terribly fast.
13. Je ne peux plus me trai- I cannot walk another step.
ner.
14. On le trainera en pri- They will drag him to pri-
son. son.
15. On m'a traine dans la They have defamed me.
boue.
1 6. Un train direct. A through train.
17. Un train omnibus. A slow train.
1 8. Un train poste. A mail train.
19. Un train de plaisir. An excursion train.
20. Un train de grande vi- An express train.
tesse.
21. Un train depetite vitesse. A slow train.
22. Un train de voyageurs. A passenger train.
23. Un train de merchan- A freight train.
dises.
24. Un train rapide. A limited express train.
25. Voila mon train de vie. Such is my way of living.
4. Do
not delay important things.
5. She could not walk another step.
6. Do not be so noisy, children.
Trait
pus 0).
pate.
8. Le bois de ce meuble The wood of this piece of
travaille. furniture is not dry.
p^tuite.
1 1 . On lui travaillera les They will give him a drub-
cotes. bing.
Theresa (1736), in which France had the hard part of the struggle, without
profit, while Frederic II of Prussia received Silesia for having deserted the
alliance with France, Spain and liavatia. Hence the expression Trawutitr :
Xrouver
1. A-t-il trouvd a se placer? Did he succeed in securing
a position?
2. Ca se trouve bien!
3. a se trouve on ne peut It comes at the right mo-
mieux ! ment.
4. Ca se trouve a merveille.
5. C'est une trouvaille. It is a rich idea.
6. C'est bien trouve. It is cleverly thought.
7. Comme ca se trouve! What a lucky circumstance!
8. Comment trouvez-vous How do you like wine?
my
mon vin?
9. Elle se trouve mal. She is fainting.
10. II a trouvd visage de He found the door shut
bois. against him.
11. II se trouve que j'avais It is proved I was right.
raison.
12. II s'en trovve encore There are still a few such
comme lui, people left.
1 6. m en trouve bien.
I congratulate myself on it.
Je I am all the better for it.
24. On trouve que vous avez People think you are wrong
tort.
Valoir
Autant vaudrait mourir. It would be just as well to
die.
C'est pay6 plus que ca It was sold for more than its
ne vaut. real value.
C'est un rien qui vaille. He is a hard case.
Cela ne dit rien qui That bodes no good.
vaille O).
Cela ne vaut pas la peine. It is not worth while.
Cela m'a valu une repri- I got a scolding for that.
mande.
Cela ne vous vaut rien. It is not good for your
health.
Donnez-moi dix francs Give me ten francs on ac-
a valoir. count.
II travaille vaille que He works at random.
vaille.
10. II se fait trop valoir. He brags too much.
1 1. II vaut mieux se taire. It is better to keep silent.
12. Je sais ce qu'en vaut I know all about it.
1'aune.
IB- Je vous revaudrai cela. I will return you the com-
pliment.
M- Ma famille vaut la sienne. My family is as good as his.
IS- Qui fait valoir ce champ? Who is cultivating this field ?
4. How much can you pay on account, if you cannot pay all?
5. Do not drink strong liquors, that is not good for your
health.
6. He returned home after midnight; he got a scolding for that.
7. Five dollars for that, it is more than its real value.
8. When one has nothing good to tell about other people, it
is better to keep silent.
Venir t
n
lefon)
say...
8. C'est la que je voulais That was my object.
en venir. It is what I meant.
9. Ce mot vient du latin. This word is derived from
the Latin.
10. Cette maison lui vient He inherited this house
de sa mere. from his mother.
11. Cette photographic est This photograph is blurred.
mal venue.
12. Get enfant est venu i This child has grown very
rien. thin.
AND GALLICISMS. 239
15. D'ou vient que vous etes Why are you sad ?
triste?
16. Dites-lui que vous venez Tell him I sent you.
de ma part.
17. Elle est revenue a elle. She has recovered her
senses.
18. Faites venirune voiture. Order a carriage.
pays.
country
21. II lui vient des boutons Pimples grow on his face.
au visage.
22. II me vient a la pensee. It just strikes me.
23. II vient de partir. (Gall). He has just gone.
24. 11 vient de me revenir a He has just come back to my
25. II est revenu sur ses pas. He has retraced his steps.
26. II revient de loin. No one thought he would
recover his health.
27. II revient sur 1'eau. We hear of him again.
28. Ilsait se faire bien venir. He has coaxing ways.
29. II ne me vient pas 4 I am a head taller than he
1'epaule. is.
(1) Farewell of Henri IV to the Spanish garrison that had held Paris
tor Philippe II : ''Faites mes compliments a votre maitre, mais ny revenez
t>as."
(2) A quotation from the old farce I'Avocat Pathelin (1490).
FRENCH IDIOMS
Vendee, vente
A vendre. For sale.
C'estun homme vendu. He has accepted a bribe
Grande mise en vente. Special annual sale
II a de 1'esprit a reven- He is too witty.
dre.
II vendrait pere et mere. He has no scruple whatever.
6* II ne faut pas vendre la Do not count your chickens
peaude Tours avant de before they are hatched -
1'avoir tu6 ( l \
La salle des ventes. The auction room.
.Miseen vente. Selling off.
Verser, renverser
1. C'est renversant. It is incredible.
2. C'est le monde renversd. Old ideas are all upset.
3. Elle versera des larmes She will weep bitterly.
ameres.
4. II a versd son sang pour He gave his life for his coun-
la patrie. try.
5.
II est vers6 en latin. He is well versed in Latin
6. II faut verser a la caisse. You have to pay at the cash
box.
7. II est tombe a la ren- He fell backwards.
verse.
8. La pluiea versdles bids. The rain has beaten down
thewheat crop.
9. L'automobile a versd The automobile was over-
dans le fosse. turned in the ditch.
10. Versez-lui a boire. Give him a drink
Veste
1. II a retournd sa veste. He is a turn coat
2. II a les jambes en man- He is bow-legged.
ches de veste.
3. II 1'a tir6 par les pansde He pulled his coat-tail.
sa vfete.
4. // a remporte une veste. He made a failure (in elec-
tion).
5. Quelle veste i What a failure 1
244 FRENCH IDIOMS
Vin
i* A
bon vin pas d'ensei- Good things speak for them-
gne. selves.
2. Ce vin se laisse boire. This wine is palatable
3. C'est du vin a faire dan- It is a very sour wine.
ser les chevres
4. C'est le vin de I'dtrier. It is the farewell pledge.
5. C'est un sac a vin. He is a confirmed drunk-
ard.
6. Du vin en cercles. Wine in a cask.
7. Du vin coupd. A mixture of water and
wine.
8 Du vin platrd (falsifit). Adulterated wine.
9. II est pris de vin. He is drunk.
10. II est entre deux vins. He is half drunk.
11. II a le vin gai. He isvery merry when he
is drunk.
12. II a le vin mdchant. He is dangerous when he is
drunk.
13. II cuve son vin. He is in a drunken sleep.
14. II a recu un pot de vin. He has been bribed.
15. II a mis de 1'eau dans He is more moderate now.
son vin.
1 6. Le vin doux. Unfermented wine.
17* Le vin est tire\ il faut le no use crying over
It is spilt
boire. milk.
18. Un vin de cru. Wine from a known district.
Vivre, vie
20. Sa memoire vivra eter- His name will last for ever.
nellement.
21. Son pere lui a coup6 les His father has cut off his
vivres. allowance.
EXERCICE 153 (Vivre)
1. We always keep a good table.
2. Only a strict diet keeps him alive.
3. We think living is dearer here than anywhere else.
4. You need not worry, you have a sufficient income.
5. When we were in England, we were in poor circumstances.
I am quite
6. independent; my work supports me.
7. Nobody likes men who are parasites.
8. You do not understand good manners.
Vent
1. Autant en emporte le All he says is idle talk.
vent.
2. Ce cheval file comme le This horse is a swift trotter/
vent.
3. Elle est coiffde en coup Her hair is in desorder.
de vent.
II va comme le vent. He goes at a great
4. speed.
5. II tourne a tousles vents. He often changes his opi-
nion.
6. II dcoute d'ou vient le He tries to guess which
vent C 1 ). way the wind blows.
2
II fait grand vent ( ). It is very windy.
7.
8. II fait un vent a 6corner The wind is enough to break
Voie
i II esten bonne voie. He is getting along nicely
2. II cherche sa voie. He has not yet decided on
his career.
Voir, vue
1. A ce que je vois. From what I understand.
2. A-t-on jamais vu pareille Such a thing never occurred.
chose!
3. Au plaisir de vous re- Until we meet again then.
voir.
4. Qa se voit bien. It is quite visible.
5. Ce soldat n'a pas encore This soldier has not yet been
vu le feu. in a battle.
6. C'est un homme a courte He is a narrow-minded man.
vue.
It will be considered.
7. C'est une chose a voir.
It may be a good proposition.
.8. C'est ce qu'il faudra We shall investigate the
voir. matter.
9. Elle voit la vie en rose. She looks atlife through rose
colored glasses.
10. Elle voit tout en noir. She looks on the dark side
of things.
11. Elle voit tout en mal. She takes the wrong side of
every thing.
AND GALLICISMS. 249
le jour.
riences.
couleurs.
42. On le garde a vue. They keep a close watch
over him.
43- On n'y voit goutte. It is pitch dark.
44- Onnevoit jamais lacou- He never pays his debts
leur de son argent.
4v Qui vivra verra! Time will test the case.
46. Voir au dos. Turn over.
47- Vous n'avez rien a voir Your presence is not needed
ici. here.
48. Vous n'avez rien a y voir. It is none of your business
49. Vous voyez d'ici 1'effet You can easily imagine the
result.
50. Vous voyez bien! Don't you see I was right.
Voyons! voyons! Control yourself.
glasses.
12. Your disposition is wrong; you take the wrong side of
every thing.
13.1 will not have anything more to do with you, my patience is
exhausted.
14. When he was poor, he had all sorts of experiences.
15. The father and the son are no longer on good terms.
Voix
1. Aliens aux voix. Let us collect the votes.
2. Ecoutez ma voix. Follow my advice.
3. II a la voix voilde. He is hoarse.
4 11 a voix au chapitre. He has a right to give his
opinion.
5. II n'y a qu'une voix sur They praise him unani
son compte. mously.
6. Je lui donne ma voix. I vote for him.
7. La voix de la conscience. The dictates of conscience.
8. La voix du sang. Family ties.
9. Les voix de Jeanne Joan of Arc's visions.
d'Arc.
10. Un porte-voix. A speaking trumpet.
252 FRENCH IDIOMS
Vouloir
i* Cequefemme veut. Dieu Women must have their
le veut. own way.
2. C'est ce qu'il voulait It is what he meant.
dire.
Version recapitulative
SUR
tour, tourner, train, travailler, trouver, valoir, vendre,
venir, vent, terser, veste, vin, vivre, vote, voir, voix,
vouloir.
que la vie est moins amere pour ceux qui n'ont pas le vivre et le
couvert. C'est dans les mois d'e'te' qu'on voit du pays par les
trains de plaisir, que les trains rapides sillonnent la campagne,
que les chevaux de trait rentrent les moissons, que les maladea
15
254 FRENCH IDIOMS
drammaire enseipe le
d'mte
en insujjlent V
et les JJinesses.
fa rammaire ccnstruit la
gency.
Attente II est trompe dans He is a disappointed man.
son attente.
Aubaine Quelle bonne au- What a happy event for me !
baine!
Autre A d'autres 3) ( . I do not believe you.
Avaler On lui fait avaler He believes everything he
des couleuvres. is told.
// a avatt sa four- He is as stiff as a poker.
4
die tte <
).
- B-
Baguette Je 1'ai mend a la I ruled him with a rod of
baguette. iron.
BatW C'est la que le bat le That's where the shoe
blesse. pinches.
Bavette 2] Elles taillent une They are gossiping to-
bavette. gether.
At a pinch.
Besoin Au besoin. In case of need.
Berlue II a la berlue. He is as blind as a bat.
Bien Ah bien oui ! Not a bit of it!
Bien, et puis > Well, and what then r
Bon -
Trouvez bon que je Allow me to take an airing.
prenne ie frais.
Bois On sail de quel bois il We know what metal he is
se chauffe. made of.
Bord II estde notre bord. He is of our set.
Bosse II ne demande que He delights in mischief.
plaies et bosses.
II a la bosse des mathd- He is endowed with a fa-
matiques. culty for mathematics.
IIroule sa bosse. He is a tramp.
Botte Cela me botte. It suits me.
Graissez vos bottes. Get ready to start.
A propos de bottes. A propos of nothing.
Parer une botte. To parry a thrust.
Des bottes de sept Ogre's boots.
lieues.
Boulette II a fait une bou- He made a blunder.
lette.
quet.
Bourde -
Quelle bourde! What a fib !
tout cela!
Chapeau Chapeaux bas! Hats off!
Chat II n'achete pas chat He does not buy a pig in a
en poche poke.
C'est de la bouillie It does not suit the purpose.
pour les chats.
(i '.
He plucked a carrot from his father's garden.
(2) His belt was too loose.
UNCLASSIFIED IDIOMS 2G1
(i) Chiendent. dosr's grass. This sentence may translate the famou
" Wormwood" in Hamlet.
(2, Children not remembering or knowing other names call them chose.
thing.
(3) Like Cato of Utica.
(4) Coffre-fort, safe. He is as strong as a safe.
(5) In many Catholic churches, the young ladies of the parish form a
sisterhood under the patronage of Saint Catherine, whose statue is fixed
and adorned by the president, generally an old maid.
2G2 UNCLASSIFIED IDIOMS
crier!
Crin II est comme un crin ( 3| . He is as cross as a bear with
a sore head.
vaise crdance.
Croire II se croit le premier He puts on airs.
moutardier du pape I
1
'.
-D-
Dada II a enfourche son He is riding his hobby.
dada.
DeW A qui le dd? Whose turn is it?
depense. I
He is very generous.
Deplaire
<J Ne vous en d6- > "With your leave.
plaise.
Deplume <
2 '
(i) Nuit et jour, a tout venant, je chantais, ne vous dip lais* La Fon-
taine's fable La cigalt et lafourmi (Livre 1, Fable i).
:
-E-
barrasse .
- F-
-
Fabrique C'est notre mar- It is our trade mark.
que de fabrique.
Fa$on Get habit a bonne This coat is after the fash-
facon. ion.
Farine Us sont de la meme One is as bad as the other.
1
farine I ).
(1) Moliere's Les Fourberies de Scaptn (act n, scene xi). Scapin says to
GeVonte that his son Leandre has been taken prisoner on a Turkish galley,
and that five hundred crowns must be paid for his ransom At the idea of :
either losing his son or his money he repeats several times in the scene :
"What did he go into that galley for?" This proverbial phrase is used
now, speaking of people being involved in some difficulty.
(2) Girouette, weather cock.
(3) As a door out of its binges.
2G8 UNCLASSIFIED IDIOMS
- H-
Haleine Faites-nous grace Spare us your long-winded
de vos explications a perte explanations.
d'haleine.
II est venu ici tout He came here without stop-
d'une haleine. ping.
Hiusser Nehaussez pas les Dp not shrug your shoul-
epaules. ders.
Le barometre est a la The barometer is ascending.
hausse.
JlaiiL'ur- II est a la hauteur He is equal to the emer-
des circonstances. gency.
Heure 3 ) Ne cherchez pas
<
Do not go on a wild goose
midi a quatorze heures. chase.
Je ferai cela a mes I shall do that at odd times
heures perdues.
Honneur II a fait honneur He has done justice to our
au diner. dinner.
Humeur Ilestd'unehumeur He is in a fit of bad humor.
massacrante.
- I -
Idee Quelle riche idde vous
avez la !
(i) In the fifteenth century watches had their faces divided into twenty-
four hours in France; the first hour began half an hour after sunset then :
the twelfth hour, micfi, was shifting constantly. Hence, to look for trouble
when there is none.
UNCLASSIFIED IDIOMS '269
-J-
II a plantd ses He took his first steps in
that business.
jalons.
Jeremiades^ Cessez vos Put an end to your com-
jerdmiades. plaints.
Joindre Allez devant, je Go ahead, I will overtake
vous rejoins. you.
Cette fenetre joint mal. This window does not close
tightly.
could not find the way to
Je n'ai pas pu trouver
I
le joint
'
3) .
do it.
- L,
Lait Prenez un
lait de Take an egg-nog before go-
poule en vous couchant. ing to bed.
Mon frere de lait est My foster-brother has ar-
arrivd. rived.
Lame C'est une fine lame. He is a clever duellist.
Lambin( l) Quel lambin How slow you are in what
vous faites !
you do !
(i) Common saying among the peasants to account for their bad-look-
ing faces.
(a) Z.if, the drrss of wine at the bottom of the cask.
272 UNCLASSIFIED JU1UMS
Imagination.
Loin Nous nous voyons de We see each other at long
loin en loin. intervals.
Lubie Ne vous prfetez pas a Do not humor all his whims.
toutes ses lubies.
LURE TE II y a belle lui etle.
i It was a long time ago.
- M-
II a eu maille a He was often in the hands
partir avec la justice. of the court.
II n'a ni sou ni maille. He has not a cent to his
name.
Majorite II n'a pas encore He is not yet of age.
atteint sa majoritd.
Maitre C est un ma it re He is a blackmailer.
chanteur.
Malhcur Par surcroit de To crown the misfortunes
malheur.
Manche Je suis dans sa I am a favorite with him
manche.
Maquiller Elle se maquille. She paints her face.
Marchand C'est un mar- He keeps a boarding-school.
chand de soupe( 3 ).
Marche II fait bon marche He cares little for your ad-
de vos conseils. vice.
guides.
Mijauree C'est une mijau- She is an affected prude.
ree< 3 ).
Mine II a fait mine de vou- He walked to the door to
loir sortir. make us believe he was
leaving.
He looks ill.
II a mauvaise mine( 4 >.
He looks like a ruffian.
Moitie Ma moitie. My better half.
Moquej II s'en moque
commede Tan quarante r5 >. He does not care a rap for it.
(2) In the middle ages, people of rank used to add to their cotte-hardte
sleeves made of expensive material ; so lovers exchanged sleeves, besides
other presents, as tokens of affection and livery of love. Une autrt pairt
de manches indicated a change of feeling.
UNCLASSIFIED IDIOMS 277
prise de bee.
Prison*- 1 ) II est aimable He has rough manners.
comme une porte de pri-
son (sarcastic).
Prix Au prix ou est le It is cheap enough at hall
beurre! price.
Propos II a jugd a propos He thought it was the correct
de faire cela. thing to do.
C'est un propos de It is gossip.
concierge.
- Q-
Quart II se moque du tiers He does not mind anybody
comme du quart. nor anything.
plus question.
QUEUE // tire le diable par He is very hard up for a liv-
la queue. ing.
Quille On 1'a recu comme He was given a very bad
un chien dans un jeu de reception.
quilles (bowling alley}.
Quitte II en est quitte a bon He got off easily,
marched
Quittons -nous bons Let us part good friends,
amis.
II ne me quitte pas He shadows me.
d'une semelle.
- R
Racier II racle du violon. He plays badly on the violin.
Ce vin racle le gosier. This wine is too sour.
Raconter Racontez-moi Give me more details about
cela plus au long. this affair.
Radoucir La temperature The temperature is getting
se radoucit. milder.
Rafraichir Le temps se ra- The weather gets cooler.
fraichit.
Roi, Poison pour la Reinc, etc. He was arrested and sent to Paris, where
he wrote to Francois ist, who laughed very much at the trick and ordered
that the should le set at liberti'.
280 UNCLASSIFIED IDIOMS
(1) At the barber's <=hop, the barber talks nonsense too often.
(2) Rate, gall bladder, spleen.
(3) He has wiped the refusal.
UNCLASSIFIED IDIOMS
lides.
ReldcherCet dcolier se re- . This scholar is becoming
laz Y-
lache.
RembrunirSoa. front se He assumes a worried ex-
rembrunit. pression.
Rencontre Une voiture de A second-hand carriage.
rencontre.
Allez a sa rencontre. Go and meet him.
Comme ca se rencon- How luckily it happens!
tre!
Rente J'ai des rentes sur I own government bonds.
1'Etat.
Renvoi La note est en ren- The explanation is in a foot
voi. note.
Representef Ilnerepr6sente His
appearance does not
pas bien. speak well for him.
Retarder Ma montre re- My watch is slow and yours
tarde et la v6tre avance. is fast.
Retourner Ilretournecoeur. Hearts are trumps.
Risquer II risque le tout He is staking all.
pour le tout.
bissur 1'ongle.
-S-
.Sac C'est un homme de He is a villain.
sac et de corde.
Saint - En 1'honneur de quel In whose honor >
saint?
Salon II fr^quente les sa- He is a society man
Ions mondains.
Sante II a une santd de fer. He has a strong constitution.
Sauter Cela m'a fait sauter That made my blood boil.
au plafond.
Seance J'ai fait cela seance I did that instantly.
tenante.
Secret II estau secret. He is in solitary confinement.
Sein II vit au sein des gran- He lives in opulence.
deurs.
Sens J'abonde dans votre I hold the same opinion as
sens. you.
Sens dessus dessous. Upside down.
Service A votre service. You are welcome.
Sain II est aux petits soins He is full of delicate atten-
pour sa mere. tions for his mother.
Aux soins de (on a Kindness of
letter).
Soldes Soldes, coupons et Old stocks, remnants and
occasions. bargains, clearance sales.
T-
Talon II a 1'estomac dans He is very hungry.
les talons.
tromper.
Trousse On a Ianc6le chien They set the dog on him.
a ses trousses.
- V-
Vache La bonne vache a The tax-payers,
lait.
II parle Francais He speaks broken French,
commeune vache (1 Espa- >
gnole.
Veiller Jeveilleraiau grain. I will be on the watch.
Verrou II est sous les ver- He is in jail.
rous.
Ver J'ai un ver rongeur a I have a cab by the hour,
la porte. waiting.
Vessie 11
prend les vessies He thinks the moon is made
pour des lanternes. of cheese.
Vider II faut vider les You must vacate the pre-
lieux. mises.
Vidons notre querelle. Let us settle our differ-
ence.
Sa mort me laisse un I shall always miss him.
vide.
A mon verre : "Plein, To my glass: "full, I empty
je te vide ; vide, je te you ; empty, I pity you."
plains."
Vidons une coupe. Let us have a glass of cham-
pain.
Voice II a recu une vo!6e He was severely cudgelled.
de bois vert.
Veler II ne 1'a pas vol6. It serves him right.
Volet Us sont tri6s sur le They are carefully selected,
volet (sorting-board).
(1) The sign for a country wine merchant is a dried juniper bush hang-
ing over the door.
(2) At the end of the ditch, comes the somersault.
(3) God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.
PROVERBS 287
Au pauvre la besace.
Hardships for the poor.
A 1'oeuvre on connait 1'ouvrier.
A carpenter is known by his chifts.
Adieu panier, vendanges sont faites.
You come the day after the fair.
A bon chat, bon rat.
Dia nLOiid cut diamond ; tit for tat.
Apres nous le d6luge.
/'// look out for number one.
(2) Francis I, being out hunting, lost his way and entered a charcoal
burner's hut, for shelter. The latter invited the stranger to dinner and sat
;it the end of the table
saying : Charbonnier, etc. He added : "Don't tell
i.ong-Nose, we are eating his game." Terror and despair of the man when
the royal ^arty found the King. (Bl. de Montluc.)
PROVERBS 289
17
290 PROVERBS
(6) Alea jacta est. Words pronounced by Caesar before crossing the
Rubicon with his troops, in spite of a law ordering any general to disband
his men previoulsy to this act.
No pay, no piper.
^Plus fait douceur que violence.
Kindness does more than harshness
Petite pluie abat grand vent.
/Jttle rain lays much dust.
Passez moi la casse, je vous passerai le sene.
Help me, I shall aid you.
Plus on est de fous, plus on rit.
The more, the merrier.
Pierre qui roule n'amasse pas mousse
Rolling stone gathers no moss.
Pauvret6-n'est pas vice.
Poverty is no crime.
Plus on a, plus on veut avoir.
Much would have more.
Petit a petit, 1'oiseau fait son nid.
Little strokes fell great oaks.
(3 ).
Quand on n'a pas ce qu'on aime, il faut aimer ce qu'on a
(i) Quotation from Molifere's Les Femmes savantes (act 11, sc. v).
(a) Qui bene ama! benc castigat.
296 PROVERBS
pin to go."
Tant va la cruche a 1'eau qu'a la fin elle se casse.
One is at last the victim of a repeated danger.
Tout vient a point a qui sail attendre.
All things come to him who waits.
Trop parler nuit, trop gratter cuit.
Be prudent in words and in deeds.
Tout nouveau, tout beau.
A new broom sweeps clean.
Tomber de Charybde en Scylla.
Out of the frying pan into the fire,
Toute m6daille a son revers.
There are two sides to everything.
Tout ce qui brille n'est pas or.
Do not judge by appearences.
Tel qui rit vendredi, dimanche pleurera.
Sorrow treads on the heels of mirth.
A-
A 1'abandon. In disorder.
Aux abois. At bay desperate.
;
A 1'abri. Sheltered.
A 1'affm.
On the watch.
Aux aguets.
A 1'aide de With the help of.
A 1'air. Exposed outdoors.
A 1'aise. Comfortably
A votre aise. As you please.
A 1'amende. Fined.
Al'amiable< l > By mutual agreement.
A 1'ancre. Anchored.
A 1'anglaise. After the English fashion
A 1'annonce de. Upon hearing about.
A 1'arrivee. On the arrival.
A 1'article de la mort. On the death bed.
A 1'aspect severe. With a stern appearance.
A 1'avance. Ahead of the time.
A 1'avantage de. For the benefit of.
A 1'avenir. In the future.
A 1'aventure. Hap-hazard.
A mon avis. In my opinion.
A batons rompus. By fits and starts
A bas ! Down with !
(1) With the muzzle of the gun very close to the object aimed at.
(2) With the bridle loose on the neck of the horse.
(3) To shoot near enough to burn someone's doublet, pourpoint.
300 IDIOMATIC ADVERBS
A condition. On approval.
A contre-coeur. Reluctantly.
A contre-jour. In a wrong light.
A cor et a cris. With great clamour.
A mon corps ddfendant. Against my own will.
A corps perdu. Headlong.
A cotd de By the side of.
A coup sur. For certain.
A coups rdpdtds. Repeatedly.
Au courani Well informed.
A couvert. Sheltered.
A crddit. On credit.
A la cride. By auction.
A croupeton. Stooping.
A la debandade (aller). Without discipline.
A debattre (prix). To be discussed.
\ ddcouvert Unprotected ;
brought to
light.
A la ddcouverte. Prospecting.
Au ddcrochez-moi ca. At the second-hand cloth-
ing store.
A ddfaut de. For want of.
Au dehors. Out of doors.
Au dela de. Beyond.
A demain. Till to morrow.
A demi. Half, almost.
A demi-mot. Understandingly.
A une demi-journde. Half a day's march.
Au ddpourvu. Unawares.
A la ddrobde. By stealth.
Au ddsespoir. In despair.
A dessein. On purpose.
Au ddtour de. In the curve (road).
Au detriment de Injuring to.
IDIOMATIC ADVERBS 301
A jeun. Fasting.
Au jour le jour. From hand to mouth.
A jour (bookkeeping}* Up to date.
A la journde. By the day (engaged).
A un jour pres. One day more or less.
Au juste. Exactly.
A juste litre. Deservedly.
Au lait. Prepared with milk.
Au large. In open sea.
A la l6gere. Rashly.
A la livre. By the pound.
A livre ouvert. At sight.
Au loin. In the distance.
A la longue. In the long run.
A lamachine. By sewing machine.
A lamain. By the hand (made).
A ma maniere. In my own way.
Au marc le franc. At a percentage.
304 IDIOMATIC ADVERBS
Avec
Avec bonhomie. Good naturedly.
Avec ca ! Don't you believe it.
- De -
D'abondance. As from a source
D'abord. At first.
. Aside (saving).
De demain en huit. A week from to-morrow.
De deux jours 1'un. Every other day.
De distance en distance. At intervals.
De dos (portrait). Back view.
De droite a gauche. In alternate directions.
De droite et de gauche. From all sides.
De plein droit. By due right.
D'emblde (gagner). At the first onset.
De face (portrait). Full face.
De faon a. So as to.
De fond en comble. Utterly, from top to bot-
tom.
De force (etre). Strong enough.
De gaitd de coeur. Wantonly; sportively.
De garde. On duty.
De grace! Oh! please!
De grand matin. Early morning.
De gr6 a gr6. By mutual agreement.
De gr6 ou de force. Willing or unwilling.
De guerre lasse. With discouragement.
De guingois. Crossways.
De honte. With shame.
310 IDIOMATIC ADVERBS
De haul. Haughtily.
D une haleine. At a single stretch.
De jour. By daylight.
De jour en jour. Day by day.
D'un jour a 1'autre. Any day.
De long en large. To and fro.
De longue haleine (travail). Of great duration.
De loin. Afar.
De loin en loin. At long intervals.
De sa main. With his own hand.
De mal en pis. Worse and worse.
De maniere a. So as to.
De maniere que. So that.
De mauvaise humeur. Cross.
De meilleure heure. Earlier.
De mieux en mieux Better and better.
De mise. Presentable.
De nature (etre). By nature.
De niveau. Leveled ; even.
De nom. By name.
De nuit. By night.
De parole (etre). Prompt, faithful.
De par le roi. In the king's name.
De la part de qui ? From whom >
Des .
En -
En abondance. Plentifully.
En adoration. Worshiping, admiring.
312 IDIOMATIC ADVERBS
En erreur. Mistaken.
En equilibre. Balanced.
En 6tat de. Able tc.
En face de. Opposite; facing.
En famille. With the family.
En fait de promesses. As to promises.
En fin de compte. After all.
En flammes (maison). Burning.
En fleur. Blossoming.
En frais (se metlre). To expense (to gn\.
En franchise. Without customhouse taxes
En friche. Uncultivated.
En fonds. Flush with money.
En froid. On cold terms.
En fusion. Melting (by fire).
En fuite. Escaping.
En gage. Pawned.
En garantie. As a security.
En goguette. On a spree.
En greve. On a strike.
En grand. On a large scale, lavishly.
En grande pompe. With great solemnity.
En grande tenue. In full attire.
En grande vitesse. By express.
En grippe (prendie). An aversion (to form}.
En gros et en detail. Wholesale and retail.
En grume (bois). With the bark on.
En guerre. At war.
En haleine. On the alert.
En hate. Hurriedly.
En haut. Up stairs, way up.
En holocauste. As a victim.
En instance de. Engaged in a suit (divorce).
En interdit. Excommunicated.
IDIOMATIC ADVERBS 315
Em. Zola in the Dreyfus' case said " La verite est en marche
(I) :
316 IDIOMATIC ADVERBS
En sdcuritd. In safety.
En silence. Without complaining.
En souff ranee. Unclaimed.
En sourdine. Underhand.
En sous-ceuvre (mur}. Underpinned.
En souvenir de. In remembrance of.
En vogue. Fashionable.
En vrac (marchandises}. Pell-mell in the steera;;e.
- Par -
Par a-comptes. By small sums.
Par acquit de conscience. Through conscientiousness
Par les amis. Through friends' influence
Par anticipation. Before hand; previously.
Par antithese. In opposition.
Par bonds. By starts and fits.
Pour
Pour ainsi dire. So to speak.
Pour 1'amour de Dieu. For the Lord's sake.
Pour de bon. Honestly.
Pour comble de malheur. To crown all.
Pour changer. For a change.
Pour la gloire. Disinterestedly (to work}.
Pour un oui pour un non. For the merest trifle.
Pour y voir clair. So as to understand it.
Sous
Sous bois. In the forest.
Sous couleur. Under the pretext.
Sous enveloppe. Sealed.
Sous forme de. In the shape of.
Sous la main. At hand.
Sous main. Clandestinely.
Sous peu. Within a little.
Sous vent. Against the wind.
Sur
Sur baisse de mise a prix With a lower estimate.
(auction sale).
Sur le bout des pieds. On tiptoe.
Sur ce. Upon that.
Sur-le-champ. Right away.
Sur commande. To order.
Sur le coup. On the spot.
Sur le ddclin (vie). On the shady side.
Sur les dents. Rushed about; excited.
Sur la droite de. To the right of.
322 IDIOMATIC ADVERBS
J -
Fly. 2.
Orpine 3. Mole. 4. Magpie. 5. Goose. 6. Knee.
7. Hank of wool. 8. An imaginary hero in La Calprenede's novel C/eo-
t>atra.q. Poodle-dog 10. Lark. u. Pitch.- 12. Monk. 13. Whale.
330 IDIOMATIC COMPARISONS
pierres.
Mauvais comme la gale 3 ). ( As wicked as sin.
Mince comme un cheveu. As fine as silk.
Noir comme l'6bene (4 . As black as pitch.
Noir comme un four. Pitch-dark.
Paresseux comme une cou- As lazy as a dog.
leuvre 6 >.
Plat comme une galette. As flat as a pancake.
depain derriereunemalle.
II boit comme un trou. He drinks like a fish.
II crie comme un aveugle qui He cries before he is hurt.
a perdu son baton.
II dort comme un sabot. He sleeps like a top.
II s'emporte comme une He flies off the handle.
soupe au lait.
II jure comme un pa'ien. He swears like a trooper,
II pleure comme un veau. lie cries like a baby.
II mange comme quatre. He eats very heartily.
II ronfle comme un soufflet He snores like an engine.
de forge.
II travaille comme un negre. He works like a slave.
II est comme un chien a 1'at- He is like a galley-slave.
tache.
II est mis comme un prince. He is gorgeously dressed.
quarante.
II est connu comme le loup Every body knows him.
blanc.
II se tient droit comme un I. He is as straight as an
arrow.
II est r6g!6 comme papier He is as regular as clock-
de musique. work.
a marche comme sur des It goes swimmingly,
roulettes.
INDEX
Pages Number
334 INDEX
Pages Number
INDEX 335
Anglais
Voix 251 10 L'ltalien
Vouloir 252 L'Ete 253
Marchand, Charles M.
2460 Five thousand French idioms
1918