Author Archives: Tournesol

Quand les brebis enragent…

Posted on 30 January 2012 by Tournesol

Another French expression: Quand les brebis enragent elles sont pire que les loups : Literal meaning: When the ewes are angry they are worse than the wolves: Every worm will turn William Congreve: Hell hath no fury like a woman … Continue reading →

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‘Le gardien de la flamme’ par Simon Parke

Posted on 27 January 2012 by Tournesol

Dans le temps ancien, le gardien de la flamme était un personage important dans un village. Il protégeait la precieuse flamme qui réchauffait et éclairait la fragile vie de ses habitants. Il était en devoir toute l’année durant. Affrontant les … Continue reading →

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Entre le marteau and l’enclume

Posted on 26 January 2012 by Tournesol

Entre le marteau et l’enclume : Literally: Between the hammer and the anvil: English translation: Between a rock and a hard place. Also: Ted Kohler and Harold Arlen: Between the devil and the deep blue sea. Taken from: ‘Don’t toss … Continue reading →

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Le bonnet blanc…

Posted on 26 January 2012 by Tournesol

Two more French phrases: C’est bonnet blanc et blanc bonnet : Literally: It’s hat white and white hat: It’s six of one and half a dozen of the other. Chat échaudé craint l’eau froid: Literally: A scalded cat fears cold … Continue reading →

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Des mesures draconiennes

Posted on 23 January 2012 by Tournesol

French expression: ‘Des mesures draconiennes’ Il s’agit là de prises de mesures excessivement rigoureuses : this is a case of taking excessively rigorous measures. “Les mesures n’étaient pas draconiennes et l’on semblait avoir beaucoup sacrifié au désir de ne pas … Continue reading →

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La soupe…

Posted on 23 January 2012 by Tournesol

Il y a quelque semaines (a few weeks ago) mon ami et moi (my friend and I) decided to go on a diet of cabbage and garlic soup (la soupe avec le chou et l’ail). “Mmm, merci, la soupe etait bonne : thank … Continue reading →

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‘The Nub of the Issue’ by Simon Parke

Posted on 21 January 2012 by Tournesol

L’essentiel (nm) de la question : The nub of the issue  Taken from: ‘Shelf Life’ by Simon Parke (www.amazon.co.uk) Meanwhile Glyn is having a go at Faith. “This is not the time for lipstick,” he says. “It’s not lipstick,” says Faith. … Continue reading →

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Personne !

Posted on 21 January 2012 by Tournesol

I love to argue about this one because I always turn out to be right! ‘Personne !’ means nobody but ‘une personne’ is a person. This is ‘une personne’ whether the person in question is a man or a woman. … Continue reading →

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Quand le vin est tiré…

Posted on 17 January 2012 by Tournesol

Expand your knowledge of French phrases: Quand le vin est tireé il faut le boit: Literally: When the cork is drawn, you must drink the wine: In for a penny, in for a pound. Un malheur ne vient jamais seul: … Continue reading →

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Chien qui aboie…

Posted on 17 January 2012 by Tournesol

Two more French phrases: Chien qui aboie ne mord pas: Literally: The dog that barks does not bite: His bark is work than his bite.   S’entendre comme des larrons en foire:  Literally: To understand each other like thieves in the … Continue reading →

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