Category Archives: French

Un cheval de Troie

Posted on 9 May 2012 by Tournesol

Cette ruse consiste à infiltrer une place pour la détruire de l’intérieur : This ruse consists of infiltrating somewhere in order to destroy it from the inside. “Ulysse qui vient à nous, qu’aura-t-il inventé Pour être aux premières loges sans … Continue reading →

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French election

Posted on 9 May 2012 by Tournesol

A huge ‘Bravo !’ to François Hollande, socialiste, for returning the ‘socialistes’ to power in France, and for ousting right-wing spendthrift Nicolas Sarkozy and his ex-model “Dahling, I’m a femme fatale” wife Carla Bruni. Today is a short entry – … Continue reading →

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Sixes and sevens

Posted on 6 May 2012 by Tournesol

Two more French phrases: Se mélanger les pinceaux : Literally: To muddle one’s paint brushes: To be at sixes and sevens. Avoir les yeux plus grand que l’estomac : Literally: To have eyes larger than one’s stomach: To bite off … Continue reading →

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Les carottes sont cuites

Posted on 2 May 2012 by Tournesol

Three “cheerful” expressions today: Aujourd’hui en chair, demain en bière : Literally: Today in the flesh, tomorrow in the coffin: NOT: Today in a chair, tomorrow in beer (two false friends here): Here today, gone tomorrow. Les carottes sont cuites … Continue reading →

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Avaler son parapluie

Posted on 30 April 2012 by Tournesol

Two more French phrases: Il a avalé son parapluie : Literally: He has swallowed his umbrella: He is uptight (stiff and starchy). S’entendre comme des larrons en foire : Literally: To understand one another like thieves in the market: To … Continue reading →

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Un grand indécis

Posted on 30 April 2012 by Tournesol

Être comme l’âne de Buridan : Un grand indécis est comme l’âne de Buridan, il ne sait jamais quelle voie choisir entre toutes : Anyone who cannot make up their mind is like the donkey of Buridan, they are incapable of choosing which … Continue reading →

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Quand on parle du loup…

Posted on 29 April 2012 by Tournesol

Two more French expressions: Quand on parle du loup, on en voit la queue : Literally: When one speaks of the wolf, one sees his tail: Talk of the devil (and he’s sure to appear). Plus ça change, plus c’est … Continue reading →

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Pas de souci

Posted on 26 April 2012 by Tournesol

Pas de souci – No worries     (‘un souci’ is a worry and a marigold) En effet, le ‘pas de souci’ se répand depuis quelques années Je reprends systématiquement les étudiants qui entrent dans mon bureau avec un ‘Monsieur, j’ai un … Continue reading →

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Mice and smiles

Posted on 22 April 2012 by Tournesol

The difference between a mouse and a smile: ‘Une souris’ is a mouse (only one in spite of the final s). The computer mouse as well as an animal mouse. ‘Un sourire’ is a smile. ‘Sourire’ is also to smile. … Continue reading →

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Le délit…

Posted on 22 April 2012 by Tournesol

Examples of ‘False Friends’: Le délit des sales figures : NOT ‘the delight of sales figures’ but: The crime of (having) dirty faces. Fat avec emphase : Not ‘fat with emphasis’ but: Smug and pompous.

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