Category Archives: Writers

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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‘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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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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La guigne

Posted on 13 January 2012 by Tournesol

By now you will know whether your Friday 13th is progressing well or otherwise. Mine appears to be going quite smoothly so far (not ‘famous last words’ I hope). Here is a French phrase about bad luck: Avoir la guigne: … Continue reading →

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‘Les Punitions’ by Simon Parke

Posted on 11 January 2012 by Tournesol

Les deux jeunes hommes étaient installés au bar et parlaient de leur enfance, plus particulièrement des punitions qu’ils avaient reçues. “Ton père t’a-t-il donné des coups de canne ?” demanda le plus grand. “Jamais,” repondit l’autre. “Mais il avait un … Continue reading →

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Better the devil you know…

Posted on 9 January 2012 by Tournesol

Another translated French phrase: On sait ce que l’on quitte, on ne sait pas ce que l’on prend : Literally: One knows what one leaves, not what one gets: Better the devil you know [than the devil you don’t know] … Continue reading →

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‘Perdus dans la foule’ par Simon Parke

Posted on 5 January 2012 by Tournesol

Nous avons parfois besoin de renouer avec notre propre bonté, que quelqu’un ou quelque chose nous accorde la grâce d’une conscience réinventée de ce qu’il y a de merveilleux en nous. Comment y arriver ? Cela peut se produire tout … Continue reading →

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Another kettle of fish

Posted on 2 January 2012 by Tournesol

Two more French to English expressions: C’est une autre paire de manches : literally: it’s another pair of sleeves: it’s another kettle of fish. Ça coûte les yeux de la tête : literally: it costs the eyes of the head: … Continue reading →

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Marcel Proust

Posted on 2 January 2012 by Tournesol

Ménager la chèvre et le chou : literally: to handle carefully the goat and the cabbage: En ménageant la chèvre et le chou, on ne heurte ni Pierre, ni Paul, pourtant opposants, et on s’attire les bonnes grâces des deux. … Continue reading →

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