B.

AmitiéFaites mes amitiés à votre frère= Remember me kindly to your brother.

Amitié

Faites mes amitiés à votre frère= Remember me kindly to your brother.

AmourFaites-le pour l’amour de moi= Do it for my sake.L’Amour force toutes les serrures= Love laughs at locksmiths.Vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche(or,claire) = To live on bread and cheese and kisses.*On revient toujours à ses premières amours= One always returns to one’s first love; Who loves well, forgets ill.[C. G. Étienne,Joconde, iii. 1.]Jamais l’amour ne se paye que par l’amour= Love can neither be bought nor sold, its only price is love.[“Amour au cœur me poindQuand bien-aimé je suis,Mais aimer je ne puisQuand on ne m’aime point.Chacun soit advertiDe faire comme moi,Car d’aimer sans partyC’est un trop grand esmoy.”Clément Marot.Lieb ohne Gegenlieb ist wie eine Frage ohne Antwort.]On dirait qu’il le fait pour l’amour du bon Dieu= He does it with such bad grace that one would say he did it for conscience’ sake.[“Qui que tu sois, voici ton maître,Il l’est, le fut, ou le doit être.”Voltaire,Inscription pour une statue de l’Amour dans les Jardins de Maisons.“A l’Amour on résiste en vain;Qui n’aima jamais aimera demain.”De Benserade,L’Amour, ed. 1690, p. 234.]

Amour

Faites-le pour l’amour de moi= Do it for my sake.L’Amour force toutes les serrures= Love laughs at locksmiths.Vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche(or,claire) = To live on bread and cheese and kisses.*On revient toujours à ses premières amours= One always returns to one’s first love; Who loves well, forgets ill.[C. G. Étienne,Joconde, iii. 1.]Jamais l’amour ne se paye que par l’amour= Love can neither be bought nor sold, its only price is love.[“Amour au cœur me poindQuand bien-aimé je suis,Mais aimer je ne puisQuand on ne m’aime point.Chacun soit advertiDe faire comme moi,Car d’aimer sans partyC’est un trop grand esmoy.”Clément Marot.Lieb ohne Gegenlieb ist wie eine Frage ohne Antwort.]On dirait qu’il le fait pour l’amour du bon Dieu= He does it with such bad grace that one would say he did it for conscience’ sake.[“Qui que tu sois, voici ton maître,Il l’est, le fut, ou le doit être.”Voltaire,Inscription pour une statue de l’Amour dans les Jardins de Maisons.“A l’Amour on résiste en vain;Qui n’aima jamais aimera demain.”De Benserade,L’Amour, ed. 1690, p. 234.]

Faites-le pour l’amour de moi= Do it for my sake.

L’Amour force toutes les serrures= Love laughs at locksmiths.

Vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche(or,claire) = To live on bread and cheese and kisses.

*On revient toujours à ses premières amours= One always returns to one’s first love; Who loves well, forgets ill.

[C. G. Étienne,Joconde, iii. 1.]

Jamais l’amour ne se paye que par l’amour= Love can neither be bought nor sold, its only price is love.

[“Amour au cœur me poindQuand bien-aimé je suis,Mais aimer je ne puisQuand on ne m’aime point.Chacun soit advertiDe faire comme moi,Car d’aimer sans partyC’est un trop grand esmoy.”Clément Marot.

Lieb ohne Gegenlieb ist wie eine Frage ohne Antwort.]

On dirait qu’il le fait pour l’amour du bon Dieu= He does it with such bad grace that one would say he did it for conscience’ sake.

[“Qui que tu sois, voici ton maître,Il l’est, le fut, ou le doit être.”Voltaire,Inscription pour une statue de l’Amour dans les Jardins de Maisons.

“A l’Amour on résiste en vain;Qui n’aima jamais aimera demain.”De Benserade,L’Amour, ed. 1690, p. 234.]

AmuserAmuser le tapis= To talk a great deal without coming to the point; To talk time away.Ne vous amusez pas en route= Do not lose an instant on the way.

Amuser

Amuser le tapis= To talk a great deal without coming to the point; To talk time away.Ne vous amusez pas en route= Do not lose an instant on the way.

Amuser le tapis= To talk a great deal without coming to the point; To talk time away.

Ne vous amusez pas en route= Do not lose an instant on the way.

AnJe m’en moque comme de l’an quarante= I don’t care a straw for it.[There was a superstition that the world would come to an end in 1040; after it had passed, this saying arose. The French also say “Je m’en moque comme de Colin-tampon.” Colin-tampon is the name given to the Swiss roll of the drum; and as the other soldiers in the French army paid no attention to it out of jealousy and esprit de corps, this saying arose. Another variant is “Je m’en soucie autant qu’un poisson d’une pomme.”]Bon an, mal an= One year with another; On an average.

Je m’en moque comme de l’an quarante= I don’t care a straw for it.[There was a superstition that the world would come to an end in 1040; after it had passed, this saying arose. The French also say “Je m’en moque comme de Colin-tampon.” Colin-tampon is the name given to the Swiss roll of the drum; and as the other soldiers in the French army paid no attention to it out of jealousy and esprit de corps, this saying arose. Another variant is “Je m’en soucie autant qu’un poisson d’une pomme.”]Bon an, mal an= One year with another; On an average.

Je m’en moque comme de l’an quarante= I don’t care a straw for it.

[There was a superstition that the world would come to an end in 1040; after it had passed, this saying arose. The French also say “Je m’en moque comme de Colin-tampon.” Colin-tampon is the name given to the Swiss roll of the drum; and as the other soldiers in the French army paid no attention to it out of jealousy and esprit de corps, this saying arose. Another variant is “Je m’en soucie autant qu’un poisson d’une pomme.”]

Bon an, mal an= One year with another; On an average.

ÂneRessembler à l’âne de Buridan= Not to know what to do.[Jean Buridan was a dialectician of the fourteenth century, and Rector of the University of Paris. One of his most famous dilemmas was that of the donkey equally hungry and thirsty, which was placed halfway between a pail of water and a load of hay. If the animal had no free-will, it would remain motionless between two equal attractions, and so die of hunger and thirst.]Contes de Peau d’Âne= Nursery tales.[A name derived from a tale of Perrault, in which the heroine is so called.]Pour un point(or,Faute d’un point)Martin perdit son âne= For want of a nail the shoe was lost (or, the miller lost his mare); Be careful of trifles.[This is said of a person who loses something valuable through a trifle. The Abbey of Asello (Latinasellus= little ass) was taken from the Abbot Martin on account of his punctuation of a sentence over the gateway. Instead of:Porta patens esto, nulli claudaris honesto(Gate be open, and be closed to no honest man), he punctuated:Porta patens esto nulli, claudaris honesto(Gate, be open to none, be closed to an honest man). His successor corrected the mistake, and added:Uno pro puncto caruit Martinus Asello.]Il fait l’âne pour avoir du son= He simulates stupidity to gain some material advantage.Brider un âne par la queue= To do anything in exactly the wrong manner; To get hold of the wrong end of the stick.Il n’y a point d’âne plus mal bâté que celui du commun= What is everybody’s business is nobody’s business.[Walton,Compleat Angler, Part i. chap. ii.]

Âne

Ressembler à l’âne de Buridan= Not to know what to do.[Jean Buridan was a dialectician of the fourteenth century, and Rector of the University of Paris. One of his most famous dilemmas was that of the donkey equally hungry and thirsty, which was placed halfway between a pail of water and a load of hay. If the animal had no free-will, it would remain motionless between two equal attractions, and so die of hunger and thirst.]Contes de Peau d’Âne= Nursery tales.[A name derived from a tale of Perrault, in which the heroine is so called.]Pour un point(or,Faute d’un point)Martin perdit son âne= For want of a nail the shoe was lost (or, the miller lost his mare); Be careful of trifles.[This is said of a person who loses something valuable through a trifle. The Abbey of Asello (Latinasellus= little ass) was taken from the Abbot Martin on account of his punctuation of a sentence over the gateway. Instead of:Porta patens esto, nulli claudaris honesto(Gate be open, and be closed to no honest man), he punctuated:Porta patens esto nulli, claudaris honesto(Gate, be open to none, be closed to an honest man). His successor corrected the mistake, and added:Uno pro puncto caruit Martinus Asello.]Il fait l’âne pour avoir du son= He simulates stupidity to gain some material advantage.Brider un âne par la queue= To do anything in exactly the wrong manner; To get hold of the wrong end of the stick.Il n’y a point d’âne plus mal bâté que celui du commun= What is everybody’s business is nobody’s business.[Walton,Compleat Angler, Part i. chap. ii.]

Ressembler à l’âne de Buridan= Not to know what to do.

[Jean Buridan was a dialectician of the fourteenth century, and Rector of the University of Paris. One of his most famous dilemmas was that of the donkey equally hungry and thirsty, which was placed halfway between a pail of water and a load of hay. If the animal had no free-will, it would remain motionless between two equal attractions, and so die of hunger and thirst.]

Contes de Peau d’Âne= Nursery tales.

[A name derived from a tale of Perrault, in which the heroine is so called.]

Pour un point(or,Faute d’un point)Martin perdit son âne= For want of a nail the shoe was lost (or, the miller lost his mare); Be careful of trifles.

[This is said of a person who loses something valuable through a trifle. The Abbey of Asello (Latinasellus= little ass) was taken from the Abbot Martin on account of his punctuation of a sentence over the gateway. Instead of:Porta patens esto, nulli claudaris honesto(Gate be open, and be closed to no honest man), he punctuated:Porta patens esto nulli, claudaris honesto(Gate, be open to none, be closed to an honest man). His successor corrected the mistake, and added:Uno pro puncto caruit Martinus Asello.]

Il fait l’âne pour avoir du son= He simulates stupidity to gain some material advantage.

Brider un âne par la queue= To do anything in exactly the wrong manner; To get hold of the wrong end of the stick.

Il n’y a point d’âne plus mal bâté que celui du commun= What is everybody’s business is nobody’s business.

[Walton,Compleat Angler, Part i. chap. ii.]

AngeÊtre aux anges= To be delighted, in raptures, in the seventh heaven.Un ange bouffi= A chubby child.

Ange

Être aux anges= To be delighted, in raptures, in the seventh heaven.Un ange bouffi= A chubby child.

Être aux anges= To be delighted, in raptures, in the seventh heaven.

Un ange bouffi= A chubby child.

AnguilleÉchapper comme une anguille= To be as slippery as an eel.Quand on veut trop serrer l’anguille, elle s’échappe= “Much would have more and lost all”; He who is too greedy loses everything. (SeeEmbrasser.)Vouloir rompre l’anguille au genou= To attempt an impossibility.Il est comme l’anguille de Melun(more correctly,Languille de Melun),il crie avant qu’on l’écorche= He is like the eel of Melun, he cries out before he is hurt.[An actor, called Languille, was once acting the part of St. Bartholomew at Melun, when he was so frightened at the entry of the executioner to flay him alive, that he rushed off the stage yelling.]Il y a quelque anguille sous roche= There is a snake in the grass; I can smell a rat.[Lat.Latet anguis in herba.]

Anguille

Échapper comme une anguille= To be as slippery as an eel.Quand on veut trop serrer l’anguille, elle s’échappe= “Much would have more and lost all”; He who is too greedy loses everything. (SeeEmbrasser.)Vouloir rompre l’anguille au genou= To attempt an impossibility.Il est comme l’anguille de Melun(more correctly,Languille de Melun),il crie avant qu’on l’écorche= He is like the eel of Melun, he cries out before he is hurt.[An actor, called Languille, was once acting the part of St. Bartholomew at Melun, when he was so frightened at the entry of the executioner to flay him alive, that he rushed off the stage yelling.]Il y a quelque anguille sous roche= There is a snake in the grass; I can smell a rat.[Lat.Latet anguis in herba.]

Échapper comme une anguille= To be as slippery as an eel.

Quand on veut trop serrer l’anguille, elle s’échappe= “Much would have more and lost all”; He who is too greedy loses everything. (SeeEmbrasser.)

Vouloir rompre l’anguille au genou= To attempt an impossibility.

Il est comme l’anguille de Melun(more correctly,Languille de Melun),il crie avant qu’on l’écorche= He is like the eel of Melun, he cries out before he is hurt.

[An actor, called Languille, was once acting the part of St. Bartholomew at Melun, when he was so frightened at the entry of the executioner to flay him alive, that he rushed off the stage yelling.]

Il y a quelque anguille sous roche= There is a snake in the grass; I can smell a rat.

[Lat.Latet anguis in herba.]

AnonymeSociété anonyme= Limited Liability Company (because the names of the shareholders are unknown to the public).

Anonyme

Société anonyme= Limited Liability Company (because the names of the shareholders are unknown to the public).

AnseFaire danser l’anse(or,le manche)du panier= To make dishonest profits on marketing (of servants); To gain a market-penny.Faire le pot(or,panier)à deux anses= To put one’s arms akimbo.[Often said of a gentleman who has a lady on each arm.]

Anse

Faire danser l’anse(or,le manche)du panier= To make dishonest profits on marketing (of servants); To gain a market-penny.Faire le pot(or,panier)à deux anses= To put one’s arms akimbo.[Often said of a gentleman who has a lady on each arm.]

Faire danser l’anse(or,le manche)du panier= To make dishonest profits on marketing (of servants); To gain a market-penny.

Faire le pot(or,panier)à deux anses= To put one’s arms akimbo.

[Often said of a gentleman who has a lady on each arm.]

Antan“Où sont les neiges d’antan?” = Where are the snows of yester-year?[Antan is an old French word derived fromanteandannus. The quotation is the refrain of François Villon’s famous “Ballade des Dames du temps jadis.”]

Antan

“Où sont les neiges d’antan?” = Where are the snows of yester-year?[Antan is an old French word derived fromanteandannus. The quotation is the refrain of François Villon’s famous “Ballade des Dames du temps jadis.”]

“Où sont les neiges d’antan?” = Where are the snows of yester-year?

[Antan is an old French word derived fromanteandannus. The quotation is the refrain of François Villon’s famous “Ballade des Dames du temps jadis.”]

ApacheC’est un apache(pop.) = He is a hooligan.

Apache

C’est un apache(pop.) = He is a hooligan.

ApothicaireC’est un apothicaire sans sucre= He is unprovided with the necessities of his profession.[Druggists in France formerly sold sugar which they used almost in every preparation. Hence one who had no sugar was badly stocked.]

Apothicaire

C’est un apothicaire sans sucre= He is unprovided with the necessities of his profession.[Druggists in France formerly sold sugar which they used almost in every preparation. Hence one who had no sugar was badly stocked.]

C’est un apothicaire sans sucre= He is unprovided with the necessities of his profession.

[Druggists in France formerly sold sugar which they used almost in every preparation. Hence one who had no sugar was badly stocked.]

ApôtreFaire le bon apôtre= To put on a saintly look; To pretend to be holy.[“Tout Picard que j’étais, j’étais un bon apôtre Et je faisais claquer mon fouet tout comme un autre.”Racine,Plaideurs, i. 1.]

Apôtre

Faire le bon apôtre= To put on a saintly look; To pretend to be holy.[“Tout Picard que j’étais, j’étais un bon apôtre Et je faisais claquer mon fouet tout comme un autre.”Racine,Plaideurs, i. 1.]

Faire le bon apôtre= To put on a saintly look; To pretend to be holy.

[“Tout Picard que j’étais, j’étais un bon apôtre Et je faisais claquer mon fouet tout comme un autre.”Racine,Plaideurs, i. 1.]

ApparencePour sauver les apparences= For the sake of appearances.Selon toute apparence= In all probability.

Apparence

Pour sauver les apparences= For the sake of appearances.Selon toute apparence= In all probability.

Pour sauver les apparences= For the sake of appearances.

Selon toute apparence= In all probability.

AppartenirA tous ceux qu’il appartiendra(legal) = To all whom it may concern.

Appartenir

A tous ceux qu’il appartiendra(legal) = To all whom it may concern.

Appât*C’est un trop vieux poisson pour mordre à l’appât= He is too old a bird to be caught with chaff.

Appât

*C’est un trop vieux poisson pour mordre à l’appât= He is too old a bird to be caught with chaff.

AppelFaire l’appel= To call the roll.Manquer à l’appel= To be missing, absent.Battre l’appel= To call to arms.

Appel

Faire l’appel= To call the roll.Manquer à l’appel= To be missing, absent.Battre l’appel= To call to arms.

Faire l’appel= To call the roll.

Manquer à l’appel= To be missing, absent.

Battre l’appel= To call to arms.

AppelerIl appelle les choses par leur nom= He calls a spade a spade.[“J’appelle un chat un chat, et Rolet un fripon.”—Boileau,Satires, i. 52.]Voilà ce que j’appelle pleuvoir= This is what I call raining with a vengeance.

Appeler

Il appelle les choses par leur nom= He calls a spade a spade.[“J’appelle un chat un chat, et Rolet un fripon.”—Boileau,Satires, i. 52.]Voilà ce que j’appelle pleuvoir= This is what I call raining with a vengeance.

Il appelle les choses par leur nom= He calls a spade a spade.

[“J’appelle un chat un chat, et Rolet un fripon.”—Boileau,Satires, i. 52.]

Voilà ce que j’appelle pleuvoir= This is what I call raining with a vengeance.

AppétitBon appétit= Good appetite; I hope you will enjoy your meal.*L’appétit vient en mangeant= One leg of mutton helps down another; The more one has the more one wants; Begin to eat, you’ll soon be hungry.[“As if increase of appetite had grownBy what it fed on.”Hamlet, i. 2.“L’appétit vient en mangeant, disait Angeston, mais la soif s’en va en buvant.”—Rabelais,Gargantua, i.]*Il n’est chère que d’appétit= Hunger is the best sauce.[“Ἡ ἐπιθυμία τοῦ σίτου ὄψον.”Xenophon,Cyrop.i. 5, 12.]*Pain dérobé réveille appétit= Stolen joys are sweet.

Appétit

Bon appétit= Good appetite; I hope you will enjoy your meal.*L’appétit vient en mangeant= One leg of mutton helps down another; The more one has the more one wants; Begin to eat, you’ll soon be hungry.[“As if increase of appetite had grownBy what it fed on.”Hamlet, i. 2.“L’appétit vient en mangeant, disait Angeston, mais la soif s’en va en buvant.”—Rabelais,Gargantua, i.]*Il n’est chère que d’appétit= Hunger is the best sauce.[“Ἡ ἐπιθυμία τοῦ σίτου ὄψον.”Xenophon,Cyrop.i. 5, 12.]*Pain dérobé réveille appétit= Stolen joys are sweet.

Bon appétit= Good appetite; I hope you will enjoy your meal.

*L’appétit vient en mangeant= One leg of mutton helps down another; The more one has the more one wants; Begin to eat, you’ll soon be hungry.

[“As if increase of appetite had grownBy what it fed on.”Hamlet, i. 2.

“L’appétit vient en mangeant, disait Angeston, mais la soif s’en va en buvant.”—Rabelais,Gargantua, i.]

*Il n’est chère que d’appétit= Hunger is the best sauce.

[“Ἡ ἐπιθυμία τοῦ σίτου ὄψον.”Xenophon,Cyrop.i. 5, 12.]

*Pain dérobé réveille appétit= Stolen joys are sweet.

ApprendreLes malheurs s’apprennent bien vite= Ill news flies fast (or, apace).Vous apprendrez avec plaisir....= You will be glad to hear....*Ce n’est pas à un vieux singe qu’on apprend à faire des grimaces(fam.) = One does not teach one’s grandmother to suck eggs. (SeeRemontrer.)[The Greek equivalent was, “To teach an eagle to fly,” or “to teach a dolphin to swim.”—Zenob.ii. 49.The Romans said, “Sus Minervam docet.”Cf.Cicero,De Oratore, ii. 57.]

Apprendre

Les malheurs s’apprennent bien vite= Ill news flies fast (or, apace).Vous apprendrez avec plaisir....= You will be glad to hear....*Ce n’est pas à un vieux singe qu’on apprend à faire des grimaces(fam.) = One does not teach one’s grandmother to suck eggs. (SeeRemontrer.)[The Greek equivalent was, “To teach an eagle to fly,” or “to teach a dolphin to swim.”—Zenob.ii. 49.The Romans said, “Sus Minervam docet.”Cf.Cicero,De Oratore, ii. 57.]

Les malheurs s’apprennent bien vite= Ill news flies fast (or, apace).

Vous apprendrez avec plaisir....= You will be glad to hear....

*Ce n’est pas à un vieux singe qu’on apprend à faire des grimaces(fam.) = One does not teach one’s grandmother to suck eggs. (SeeRemontrer.)

[The Greek equivalent was, “To teach an eagle to fly,” or “to teach a dolphin to swim.”—Zenob.ii. 49.

The Romans said, “Sus Minervam docet.”Cf.Cicero,De Oratore, ii. 57.]

Apprenti*Apprenti n’est pas maître= One must not expect from a beginner the talent of an old hand; You must spoil before you spin.

Apprenti

*Apprenti n’est pas maître= One must not expect from a beginner the talent of an old hand; You must spoil before you spin.

AppuiMur à hauteur d’appui= A wall breast high (so that one may lean against it).Faites la proposition, j’irai à l’appui de la boule= You make the proposal, and I will support it.[This idiom comes from the game of bowls, when by hitting your partner’s ball you may drive it nearer the goal, though unable to approach yourself.]

Appui

Mur à hauteur d’appui= A wall breast high (so that one may lean against it).Faites la proposition, j’irai à l’appui de la boule= You make the proposal, and I will support it.[This idiom comes from the game of bowls, when by hitting your partner’s ball you may drive it nearer the goal, though unable to approach yourself.]

Mur à hauteur d’appui= A wall breast high (so that one may lean against it).

Faites la proposition, j’irai à l’appui de la boule= You make the proposal, and I will support it.

[This idiom comes from the game of bowls, when by hitting your partner’s ball you may drive it nearer the goal, though unable to approach yourself.]

AppuyerVous vous appuyez sur un roseau= You are trusting to a broken reed.

Appuyer

Vous vous appuyez sur un roseau= You are trusting to a broken reed.

Après*Après lui il faut tirer l’échelle= One cannot do better than he has; No one can come up to him in that; That takes the cake.[Comp.Molière,Médecin malgré lui, ii. 1.]*Jeter le manche après la cognée= To throw the helve after the hatchet; To give up in despair.*Après nous le déluge= A short life and a merry one; We need not bother about what will happen after we are gone.[These words were attributed to Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764) in reply to those who remonstrated with her for her extravagance—“When I am gone, the deluge may come for all I care.” (SeeDesprez,Essai sur la Marquise de Pompadour, a preface to hisMémoirs de Madame du Hausset.) The same idea occurs in the Greek proverb quoted by Cicero (De Finibus, iii. 19), “Ἐμοῦ θανόντος γαῖα μιχθήτω πυρί.” Milton suggests Tiberius as saying, “When I die, let the earth be rolled in flames.”—Reason of Church Government, i. 5.]

Après

*Après lui il faut tirer l’échelle= One cannot do better than he has; No one can come up to him in that; That takes the cake.[Comp.Molière,Médecin malgré lui, ii. 1.]*Jeter le manche après la cognée= To throw the helve after the hatchet; To give up in despair.*Après nous le déluge= A short life and a merry one; We need not bother about what will happen after we are gone.[These words were attributed to Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764) in reply to those who remonstrated with her for her extravagance—“When I am gone, the deluge may come for all I care.” (SeeDesprez,Essai sur la Marquise de Pompadour, a preface to hisMémoirs de Madame du Hausset.) The same idea occurs in the Greek proverb quoted by Cicero (De Finibus, iii. 19), “Ἐμοῦ θανόντος γαῖα μιχθήτω πυρί.” Milton suggests Tiberius as saying, “When I die, let the earth be rolled in flames.”—Reason of Church Government, i. 5.]

*Après lui il faut tirer l’échelle= One cannot do better than he has; No one can come up to him in that; That takes the cake.

[Comp.Molière,Médecin malgré lui, ii. 1.]

*Jeter le manche après la cognée= To throw the helve after the hatchet; To give up in despair.

*Après nous le déluge= A short life and a merry one; We need not bother about what will happen after we are gone.

[These words were attributed to Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764) in reply to those who remonstrated with her for her extravagance—“When I am gone, the deluge may come for all I care.” (SeeDesprez,Essai sur la Marquise de Pompadour, a preface to hisMémoirs de Madame du Hausset.) The same idea occurs in the Greek proverb quoted by Cicero (De Finibus, iii. 19), “Ἐμοῦ θανόντος γαῖα μιχθήτω πυρί.” Milton suggests Tiberius as saying, “When I die, let the earth be rolled in flames.”—Reason of Church Government, i. 5.]

AraignéeAvoir une araignée dans le(or,au)plafond= To have a bee in one’s bonnet.

Araignée

Avoir une araignée dans le(or,au)plafond= To have a bee in one’s bonnet.

Arbre*Entre l’arbre et l’écorce il ne faut pas mettre le doigt= One must not interfere in other people’s quarrels.[This proverb has been travestied by Molière, who makes Sganarelle say: “Apprenez que Cicéron dit qu’entre l’arbre et le doigt il ne faut pas mettre l’écorce.”—Le Médecin malgré lui, i. 2.]L’arbre ne tombe pas au premier coup= Everything requires time and exertion; Rome was not built in a day.Quand l’arbre est tombé tout le monde court aux branches= When the tree falls every one goeth to it with his hatchet.Il s’est toujours tenu au gros de l’arbre= He has always sided with the stronger side.

Arbre

*Entre l’arbre et l’écorce il ne faut pas mettre le doigt= One must not interfere in other people’s quarrels.[This proverb has been travestied by Molière, who makes Sganarelle say: “Apprenez que Cicéron dit qu’entre l’arbre et le doigt il ne faut pas mettre l’écorce.”—Le Médecin malgré lui, i. 2.]L’arbre ne tombe pas au premier coup= Everything requires time and exertion; Rome was not built in a day.Quand l’arbre est tombé tout le monde court aux branches= When the tree falls every one goeth to it with his hatchet.Il s’est toujours tenu au gros de l’arbre= He has always sided with the stronger side.

*Entre l’arbre et l’écorce il ne faut pas mettre le doigt= One must not interfere in other people’s quarrels.

[This proverb has been travestied by Molière, who makes Sganarelle say: “Apprenez que Cicéron dit qu’entre l’arbre et le doigt il ne faut pas mettre l’écorce.”—Le Médecin malgré lui, i. 2.]

L’arbre ne tombe pas au premier coup= Everything requires time and exertion; Rome was not built in a day.

Quand l’arbre est tombé tout le monde court aux branches= When the tree falls every one goeth to it with his hatchet.

Il s’est toujours tenu au gros de l’arbre= He has always sided with the stronger side.

ArcDébander l’arc ne guérit pas la plaie= To cease doing mischief does not undo the harm one has done.

Arc

Débander l’arc ne guérit pas la plaie= To cease doing mischief does not undo the harm one has done.

ArçonÊtre ferme sur les arçons= (lit.) To have a firm seat in the saddle; (fig.) Not to waver in one’s principles.Il a vidé les arçons= He was unhorsed.

Arçon

Être ferme sur les arçons= (lit.) To have a firm seat in the saddle; (fig.) Not to waver in one’s principles.Il a vidé les arçons= He was unhorsed.

Être ferme sur les arçons= (lit.) To have a firm seat in the saddle; (fig.) Not to waver in one’s principles.

Il a vidé les arçons= He was unhorsed.

ArgentL’argent est un bon passe-partout= Gold goes in at any gate, except heaven.[“Amour fait moultMais argent fait tout.”]Être cousu d’argent= To be made of money; To be rolling in riches.Il est chargé d’argent comme un crapaud de plumes= He is penniless.Y aller bon jeu bon argent= To set about a thing in earnest.*Point d’argent, point de Suisse= No money, no Swiss; No pay, no piper.[In the Middle Ages the Swiss were the chief mercenaries of Europe, and occasionally had to resort to severe measures to obtain their pay. CompareRacine,Plaideurs, i. 1. One day when the Swiss were asking for their pay from the king the French Prime Minister said: “The money we have given these Swiss would pave a road from Paris to Basle.” To which the Swiss commander replied: “And the blood we have shed for France would fill a river from Basle to Paris!”]Payer argent comptant= To pay ready money; To pay in hard cash.[Synonyms are:En beaux deniers comptantsor,en espèces sonnantes et trébuchantes.]Prendre quelque chose pour argent comptant= To take something for gospel.Je suis à court d’argent(fam.à sec) = I am short of money (fam.hard up, broke).*Qui n’a pas argent en bourse, ait miel en bouche= He who has not silver in his purse should have honey on his tongue.*Argent emprunté porte tristesse= He who goes a-borrowing goes a-sorrowing.

Argent

L’argent est un bon passe-partout= Gold goes in at any gate, except heaven.[“Amour fait moultMais argent fait tout.”]Être cousu d’argent= To be made of money; To be rolling in riches.Il est chargé d’argent comme un crapaud de plumes= He is penniless.Y aller bon jeu bon argent= To set about a thing in earnest.*Point d’argent, point de Suisse= No money, no Swiss; No pay, no piper.[In the Middle Ages the Swiss were the chief mercenaries of Europe, and occasionally had to resort to severe measures to obtain their pay. CompareRacine,Plaideurs, i. 1. One day when the Swiss were asking for their pay from the king the French Prime Minister said: “The money we have given these Swiss would pave a road from Paris to Basle.” To which the Swiss commander replied: “And the blood we have shed for France would fill a river from Basle to Paris!”]Payer argent comptant= To pay ready money; To pay in hard cash.[Synonyms are:En beaux deniers comptantsor,en espèces sonnantes et trébuchantes.]Prendre quelque chose pour argent comptant= To take something for gospel.Je suis à court d’argent(fam.à sec) = I am short of money (fam.hard up, broke).*Qui n’a pas argent en bourse, ait miel en bouche= He who has not silver in his purse should have honey on his tongue.*Argent emprunté porte tristesse= He who goes a-borrowing goes a-sorrowing.

L’argent est un bon passe-partout= Gold goes in at any gate, except heaven.

[“Amour fait moultMais argent fait tout.”]

Être cousu d’argent= To be made of money; To be rolling in riches.

Il est chargé d’argent comme un crapaud de plumes= He is penniless.

Y aller bon jeu bon argent= To set about a thing in earnest.

*Point d’argent, point de Suisse= No money, no Swiss; No pay, no piper.

[In the Middle Ages the Swiss were the chief mercenaries of Europe, and occasionally had to resort to severe measures to obtain their pay. CompareRacine,Plaideurs, i. 1. One day when the Swiss were asking for their pay from the king the French Prime Minister said: “The money we have given these Swiss would pave a road from Paris to Basle.” To which the Swiss commander replied: “And the blood we have shed for France would fill a river from Basle to Paris!”]

Payer argent comptant= To pay ready money; To pay in hard cash.

[Synonyms are:En beaux deniers comptantsor,en espèces sonnantes et trébuchantes.]

Prendre quelque chose pour argent comptant= To take something for gospel.

Je suis à court d’argent(fam.à sec) = I am short of money (fam.hard up, broke).

*Qui n’a pas argent en bourse, ait miel en bouche= He who has not silver in his purse should have honey on his tongue.

*Argent emprunté porte tristesse= He who goes a-borrowing goes a-sorrowing.

ArmeReprésenter les armes de Bourges= To look stupid.[The arms of Bourges are an ass sitting in an armchair.]Les armes sont journalières= Victory is fickle.

Arme

Représenter les armes de Bourges= To look stupid.[The arms of Bourges are an ass sitting in an armchair.]Les armes sont journalières= Victory is fickle.

Représenter les armes de Bourges= To look stupid.

[The arms of Bourges are an ass sitting in an armchair.]

Les armes sont journalières= Victory is fickle.

ArracherOn se l’arrache= (of persons) He is the rage; (of things) There is a regular scramble for it.

Arracher

On se l’arrache= (of persons) He is the rage; (of things) There is a regular scramble for it.

ArracheurMentir comme un arracheur de dents= To lie unblushingly; To lie like an epitaph.

Arracheur

Mentir comme un arracheur de dents= To lie unblushingly; To lie like an epitaph.

ArrangerComme vous voilà arrangé!= What a sight you look!Je l’ai arrangé de la bonne manière= I gave him what he richly deserved.Arrangez-vous= That is your business; Settle it among yourselves.

Arranger

Comme vous voilà arrangé!= What a sight you look!Je l’ai arrangé de la bonne manière= I gave him what he richly deserved.Arrangez-vous= That is your business; Settle it among yourselves.

Comme vous voilà arrangé!= What a sight you look!

Je l’ai arrangé de la bonne manière= I gave him what he richly deserved.

Arrangez-vous= That is your business; Settle it among yourselves.

ArrêtMettre un officier aux arrêts= To put an officer under arrest.Garder les arrêts= To keep to one’s quarters.Lever les arrêts= To release from arrest.

Arrêt

Mettre un officier aux arrêts= To put an officer under arrest.Garder les arrêts= To keep to one’s quarters.Lever les arrêts= To release from arrest.

Mettre un officier aux arrêts= To put an officer under arrest.

Garder les arrêts= To keep to one’s quarters.

Lever les arrêts= To release from arrest.

ArriverC’est un homme qui arrivera= He is sure to get on in the world.*Un malheur n’arrive jamais seul= Misfortunes never come singly; It never rains but it pours.*Cela arrive comme marée en carême= That comes just in the nick of time (lit. assea-fishin Lent). SeeCarême.

Arriver

C’est un homme qui arrivera= He is sure to get on in the world.*Un malheur n’arrive jamais seul= Misfortunes never come singly; It never rains but it pours.*Cela arrive comme marée en carême= That comes just in the nick of time (lit. assea-fishin Lent). SeeCarême.

C’est un homme qui arrivera= He is sure to get on in the world.

*Un malheur n’arrive jamais seul= Misfortunes never come singly; It never rains but it pours.

*Cela arrive comme marée en carême= That comes just in the nick of time (lit. assea-fishin Lent). SeeCarême.

ArticleÊtre à l’article de la mort(or,à l’agonie) = To be at death’s door.[Lat.In articulo mortis.]

Article

Être à l’article de la mort(or,à l’agonie) = To be at death’s door.[Lat.In articulo mortis.]

Être à l’article de la mort(or,à l’agonie) = To be at death’s door.

[Lat.In articulo mortis.]

Assembler*Qui se ressemble, s’assemble= Birds of a feather flock together; Like will to like.

Assembler

*Qui se ressemble, s’assemble= Birds of a feather flock together; Like will to like.

AssietteIl n’est pas dans son assiette= He is not in his normal state of mind; He is out of sorts; He is not up to the mark.Son assiette dîne pour lui= He pays for his dinner whether he is present or not.C’est un casseur d’assiettes= He is a swaggerer (a Mohock, in eighteenth century parlance).C’est un pique-assiette= He is a parasite, a sponge.L’assiette des impôts= The assessment of taxes.

Assiette

Il n’est pas dans son assiette= He is not in his normal state of mind; He is out of sorts; He is not up to the mark.Son assiette dîne pour lui= He pays for his dinner whether he is present or not.C’est un casseur d’assiettes= He is a swaggerer (a Mohock, in eighteenth century parlance).C’est un pique-assiette= He is a parasite, a sponge.L’assiette des impôts= The assessment of taxes.

Il n’est pas dans son assiette= He is not in his normal state of mind; He is out of sorts; He is not up to the mark.

Son assiette dîne pour lui= He pays for his dinner whether he is present or not.

C’est un casseur d’assiettes= He is a swaggerer (a Mohock, in eighteenth century parlance).

C’est un pique-assiette= He is a parasite, a sponge.

L’assiette des impôts= The assessment of taxes.

AttacheLe pauvre homme est toujours (comme un chien) à l’attache= The poor man is a very slave, is compelled to work hard and constantly.

Attache

Le pauvre homme est toujours (comme un chien) à l’attache= The poor man is a very slave, is compelled to work hard and constantly.

Attacher*Attacher le grelot= To bell the cat.[La Fontaine,Conseil tenu par les rats. For an explanation of the phrase seeGrelot.]

Attacher

*Attacher le grelot= To bell the cat.[La Fontaine,Conseil tenu par les rats. For an explanation of the phrase seeGrelot.]

*Attacher le grelot= To bell the cat.

[La Fontaine,Conseil tenu par les rats. For an explanation of the phrase seeGrelot.]

Attaquer*Attaquer le taureau par les cornes= To seize the bull by the horns.

Attaquer

*Attaquer le taureau par les cornes= To seize the bull by the horns.

AtteintePorter atteinte (à l’honneur de)= To sully (the fair name of).Porter atteinte (aux droits de)= To infringe (the rights of).

Atteinte

Porter atteinte (à l’honneur de)= To sully (the fair name of).Porter atteinte (aux droits de)= To infringe (the rights of).

Porter atteinte (à l’honneur de)= To sully (the fair name of).

Porter atteinte (aux droits de)= To infringe (the rights of).

AttelerC’est une charrette mal attelée= They are a badly-matched pair.

Atteler

C’est une charrette mal attelée= They are a badly-matched pair.

AttendreUne question n’attendait pas l’autre= Question quickly followed after question.Je m’y attendais= That is just what I expected.Attendez-vous-y= You may depend upon it; (or, ironic.) Don’t you wish you may get it!*Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre= Everything comes to the man who waits; Time and patience change the mulberry leaf into a silk gown.On peut s’attendre à tout, surtout à l’inattendu= One may expect anything, especially the unexpected.

Attendre

Une question n’attendait pas l’autre= Question quickly followed after question.Je m’y attendais= That is just what I expected.Attendez-vous-y= You may depend upon it; (or, ironic.) Don’t you wish you may get it!*Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre= Everything comes to the man who waits; Time and patience change the mulberry leaf into a silk gown.On peut s’attendre à tout, surtout à l’inattendu= One may expect anything, especially the unexpected.

Une question n’attendait pas l’autre= Question quickly followed after question.

Je m’y attendais= That is just what I expected.

Attendez-vous-y= You may depend upon it; (or, ironic.) Don’t you wish you may get it!

*Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre= Everything comes to the man who waits; Time and patience change the mulberry leaf into a silk gown.

On peut s’attendre à tout, surtout à l’inattendu= One may expect anything, especially the unexpected.

AttraperAttrape qui peut!= Scramble for it!Attrape!= 1. Catch! 2. Take that! 3. It serves you right.

Attraper

Attrape qui peut!= Scramble for it!Attrape!= 1. Catch! 2. Take that! 3. It serves you right.

Attrape qui peut!= Scramble for it!

Attrape!= 1. Catch! 2. Take that! 3. It serves you right.

AudienceAudience à huis clos= A case heardin camera.

Audience

Audience à huis clos= A case heardin camera.

AuneLes hommes ne se mesurent pas à l’aune= Men are not to be judged by their size.[M. Thiers, who was very short, used to say: “Les liqueurs précieuses se conservent dans de petits flacons” = Rich wares in small parcels.]Savoir ce qu’en vaut l’aune= To know a thing to one’s cost.Mesurer les autres à son aune= To measure other people’s peck by one’s own bushel.Tout le long de l’aune= By the yard; Plenty of it.

Aune

Les hommes ne se mesurent pas à l’aune= Men are not to be judged by their size.[M. Thiers, who was very short, used to say: “Les liqueurs précieuses se conservent dans de petits flacons” = Rich wares in small parcels.]Savoir ce qu’en vaut l’aune= To know a thing to one’s cost.Mesurer les autres à son aune= To measure other people’s peck by one’s own bushel.Tout le long de l’aune= By the yard; Plenty of it.

Les hommes ne se mesurent pas à l’aune= Men are not to be judged by their size.

[M. Thiers, who was very short, used to say: “Les liqueurs précieuses se conservent dans de petits flacons” = Rich wares in small parcels.]

Savoir ce qu’en vaut l’aune= To know a thing to one’s cost.

Mesurer les autres à son aune= To measure other people’s peck by one’s own bushel.

Tout le long de l’aune= By the yard; Plenty of it.

Aurore*Travail d’aurore amène l’or= Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.[The late H. Stacy Marks, R.A., parodied this: “Early to bed and early to rise, No use—unless you advertise.”The German equivalent is, “Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund”—The morning hour has gold in its mouth.This is also found in Italian: “Le ore del mattino hanno l’oro in bocca.”]

Aurore

*Travail d’aurore amène l’or= Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.[The late H. Stacy Marks, R.A., parodied this: “Early to bed and early to rise, No use—unless you advertise.”The German equivalent is, “Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund”—The morning hour has gold in its mouth.This is also found in Italian: “Le ore del mattino hanno l’oro in bocca.”]

*Travail d’aurore amène l’or= Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

[The late H. Stacy Marks, R.A., parodied this: “Early to bed and early to rise, No use—unless you advertise.”

The German equivalent is, “Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund”—The morning hour has gold in its mouth.

This is also found in Italian: “Le ore del mattino hanno l’oro in bocca.”]

AussitôtAussitôt dit, aussitôt fait= No sooner said than done.

Aussitôt

Aussitôt dit, aussitôt fait= No sooner said than done.

AutantCela est fini ou autant vaut= It is as good as finished.*Autant de têtes, autant d’avis= So many men, so many minds.[“Quot homines, tot sententiæ.”—Terence,Phormio, ii. 4. Also: “Autant de gens, autant de sens.”]Autant lui en pend au nez(or,à l’oreille) = He will get just the same (in bad sense).Autant vaut être mordu d’un chien que d’une chienne= One evil is as bad as the other.Autant dire mille francs= We may as well say £40. (SeeAller.)Autant vaut celui qui tient que celui qui écorche= The receiver is as bad as the thief.[A hexameter of Phocylides says:ἀμφότεροι κλῶπες, καὶ ὁ δεξάμενος καὶ ὁ κλέψας.]C’est toujours autant de gagné= That’s always so much to the good. (SeePrendre.)

Autant

Cela est fini ou autant vaut= It is as good as finished.*Autant de têtes, autant d’avis= So many men, so many minds.[“Quot homines, tot sententiæ.”—Terence,Phormio, ii. 4. Also: “Autant de gens, autant de sens.”]Autant lui en pend au nez(or,à l’oreille) = He will get just the same (in bad sense).Autant vaut être mordu d’un chien que d’une chienne= One evil is as bad as the other.Autant dire mille francs= We may as well say £40. (SeeAller.)Autant vaut celui qui tient que celui qui écorche= The receiver is as bad as the thief.[A hexameter of Phocylides says:ἀμφότεροι κλῶπες, καὶ ὁ δεξάμενος καὶ ὁ κλέψας.]C’est toujours autant de gagné= That’s always so much to the good. (SeePrendre.)

Cela est fini ou autant vaut= It is as good as finished.

*Autant de têtes, autant d’avis= So many men, so many minds.

[“Quot homines, tot sententiæ.”—Terence,Phormio, ii. 4. Also: “Autant de gens, autant de sens.”]

Autant lui en pend au nez(or,à l’oreille) = He will get just the same (in bad sense).

Autant vaut être mordu d’un chien que d’une chienne= One evil is as bad as the other.

Autant dire mille francs= We may as well say £40. (SeeAller.)

Autant vaut celui qui tient que celui qui écorche= The receiver is as bad as the thief.

[A hexameter of Phocylides says:ἀμφότεροι κλῶπες, καὶ ὁ δεξάμενος καὶ ὁ κλέψας.]

C’est toujours autant de gagné= That’s always so much to the good. (SeePrendre.)

Autel*Qui sert à l’autel doit vivre de l’autel= Every man must live by his profession.Il en prendrait sur l’autel= He would rob a church.

Autel

*Qui sert à l’autel doit vivre de l’autel= Every man must live by his profession.Il en prendrait sur l’autel= He would rob a church.

*Qui sert à l’autel doit vivre de l’autel= Every man must live by his profession.

Il en prendrait sur l’autel= He would rob a church.

AutourTourner autour du pot= To beat about the bush.[German: “Wie die Katze um den Brei laufen.”]Il ne faut pas confondre autour avec alentour= One must not mix up two things entirely different.[Thegaminof Paris adds to this saying: “ni intelligence avec gendarme.”]

Autour

Tourner autour du pot= To beat about the bush.[German: “Wie die Katze um den Brei laufen.”]Il ne faut pas confondre autour avec alentour= One must not mix up two things entirely different.[Thegaminof Paris adds to this saying: “ni intelligence avec gendarme.”]

Tourner autour du pot= To beat about the bush.

[German: “Wie die Katze um den Brei laufen.”]

Il ne faut pas confondre autour avec alentour= One must not mix up two things entirely different.

[Thegaminof Paris adds to this saying: “ni intelligence avec gendarme.”]

AutreComme dit l’autre= As the saying is.[Or:Comme on dit.]Nous parlions de choses et d’autres= We were speaking of different things.C’est tout un ou tout autre= It is either one thing or the other.L’un vaut l’autre= One is as bad as the other.Il en sait bien d’autres= He knows more than one trick.C’est une autre paire de manches= That is quite another thing; That is a horse of another colour.Il n’en fait pas d’autres= That is always the way with him; He is at it again.Allez conter cela à d’autres= Tell that to the marines.[Often shortened to “À d’autres.”]Nous autres Anglais sommes très réservés= We English are very reserved.[“Nous autres ignorants estions perdus si ce livre ne nous eust relevé du bourbier.”Montaigne,Essais, ii. 4, speaking of Amyot’s translation of Plutarch.]*Autres temps, autres mœurs= Manners change with the times.J’en ai vu bien d’autres= I have outlived worse things than that.

Autre

Comme dit l’autre= As the saying is.[Or:Comme on dit.]Nous parlions de choses et d’autres= We were speaking of different things.C’est tout un ou tout autre= It is either one thing or the other.L’un vaut l’autre= One is as bad as the other.Il en sait bien d’autres= He knows more than one trick.C’est une autre paire de manches= That is quite another thing; That is a horse of another colour.Il n’en fait pas d’autres= That is always the way with him; He is at it again.Allez conter cela à d’autres= Tell that to the marines.[Often shortened to “À d’autres.”]Nous autres Anglais sommes très réservés= We English are very reserved.[“Nous autres ignorants estions perdus si ce livre ne nous eust relevé du bourbier.”Montaigne,Essais, ii. 4, speaking of Amyot’s translation of Plutarch.]*Autres temps, autres mœurs= Manners change with the times.J’en ai vu bien d’autres= I have outlived worse things than that.

Comme dit l’autre= As the saying is.

[Or:Comme on dit.]

Nous parlions de choses et d’autres= We were speaking of different things.

C’est tout un ou tout autre= It is either one thing or the other.

L’un vaut l’autre= One is as bad as the other.

Il en sait bien d’autres= He knows more than one trick.

C’est une autre paire de manches= That is quite another thing; That is a horse of another colour.

Il n’en fait pas d’autres= That is always the way with him; He is at it again.

Allez conter cela à d’autres= Tell that to the marines.

[Often shortened to “À d’autres.”]

Nous autres Anglais sommes très réservés= We English are very reserved.

[“Nous autres ignorants estions perdus si ce livre ne nous eust relevé du bourbier.”Montaigne,Essais, ii. 4, speaking of Amyot’s translation of Plutarch.]

*Autres temps, autres mœurs= Manners change with the times.

J’en ai vu bien d’autres= I have outlived worse things than that.

AvalerFaire avaler des couleuvres à quelqu’un= To say very humiliating things to a man who, on account of his inferior position, is obliged to put up with them; To make any one swallow a bitter pill.

Avaler

Faire avaler des couleuvres à quelqu’un= To say very humiliating things to a man who, on account of his inferior position, is obliged to put up with them; To make any one swallow a bitter pill.

AvancerVotre montre avance de dix minutes= Your watch is ten minutes fast.[Compare: “Votre montre retarde de dix minutes” = Your watch is ten minutes slow.]Cela m’avance bien!(ironic.) = What good is that to me?Vous voilà bien avancé!(ironic.) = Here you are in a pretty mess! What good have you gained by that?Je n’en suis pas plus avancé= I am none the wiser (or, nearer).

Avancer

Votre montre avance de dix minutes= Your watch is ten minutes fast.[Compare: “Votre montre retarde de dix minutes” = Your watch is ten minutes slow.]Cela m’avance bien!(ironic.) = What good is that to me?Vous voilà bien avancé!(ironic.) = Here you are in a pretty mess! What good have you gained by that?Je n’en suis pas plus avancé= I am none the wiser (or, nearer).

Votre montre avance de dix minutes= Your watch is ten minutes fast.

[Compare: “Votre montre retarde de dix minutes” = Your watch is ten minutes slow.]

Cela m’avance bien!(ironic.) = What good is that to me?

Vous voilà bien avancé!(ironic.) = Here you are in a pretty mess! What good have you gained by that?

Je n’en suis pas plus avancé= I am none the wiser (or, nearer).

AvantVous allez trop avant= You are going too far.Ils sont arrivés bien avant dans la nuit= They arrived very late at night.

Avant

Vous allez trop avant= You are going too far.Ils sont arrivés bien avant dans la nuit= They arrived very late at night.

Vous allez trop avant= You are going too far.

Ils sont arrivés bien avant dans la nuit= They arrived very late at night.

Avare*A père avare, enfant prodigue= A miserly father has a spendthrift son.[“A femme avare, galant escroc.”La Fontaine,Contes,ii.]

Avare

*A père avare, enfant prodigue= A miserly father has a spendthrift son.[“A femme avare, galant escroc.”La Fontaine,Contes,ii.]

*A père avare, enfant prodigue= A miserly father has a spendthrift son.

[“A femme avare, galant escroc.”La Fontaine,Contes,ii.]

AvecAvec ça!(colloquial) = Nonsense!

Avec

Avec ça!(colloquial) = Nonsense!

Averti*Un bon averti(or,prévenu)en vaut deux= A man well warned is twice a man; Forewarned, forearmed.

Averti

*Un bon averti(or,prévenu)en vaut deux= A man well warned is twice a man; Forewarned, forearmed.

AveuC’est un homme sans aveu= He is a vagabond.[In feudal times a vassal had to make anavowalto his lord of the lands he held, placing them under his lord’s protection. A man who had no property could not do so.]*Rien ne soulage comme un aveu sincère= Open confession is good for the soul.

Aveu

C’est un homme sans aveu= He is a vagabond.[In feudal times a vassal had to make anavowalto his lord of the lands he held, placing them under his lord’s protection. A man who had no property could not do so.]*Rien ne soulage comme un aveu sincère= Open confession is good for the soul.

C’est un homme sans aveu= He is a vagabond.

[In feudal times a vassal had to make anavowalto his lord of the lands he held, placing them under his lord’s protection. A man who had no property could not do so.]

*Rien ne soulage comme un aveu sincère= Open confession is good for the soul.

AveugleCrier comme un aveugle(qui a perdu son bâtonor,son chien) = To yell with all one’s might.[A variant is:Crier comme un sourd, although deaf people generally speak very quietly.]

Aveugle

Crier comme un aveugle(qui a perdu son bâtonor,son chien) = To yell with all one’s might.[A variant is:Crier comme un sourd, although deaf people generally speak very quietly.]

Crier comme un aveugle(qui a perdu son bâtonor,son chien) = To yell with all one’s might.

[A variant is:Crier comme un sourd, although deaf people generally speak very quietly.]

AvisIl est toujours du bon avis= His opinion is always good.Il y a jour d’avis= There is no hurry; There is plenty of time for consideration.*Avis au lecteur= A note to the reader; A word to the wise;Verb. sap.(Il) m’est avis qu’il cherche à vous tromper= Somehow I think he wants to deceive you.*Deux avis valent mieux qu’un= Two heads are better than one.[The Greeks said: εἷς ἀνήρ, οὐδεὶς ἀνήρ = One man, no man.]Sauf avis contraire= Unless I hear (or, write) to the contrary.

Avis

Il est toujours du bon avis= His opinion is always good.Il y a jour d’avis= There is no hurry; There is plenty of time for consideration.*Avis au lecteur= A note to the reader; A word to the wise;Verb. sap.(Il) m’est avis qu’il cherche à vous tromper= Somehow I think he wants to deceive you.*Deux avis valent mieux qu’un= Two heads are better than one.[The Greeks said: εἷς ἀνήρ, οὐδεὶς ἀνήρ = One man, no man.]Sauf avis contraire= Unless I hear (or, write) to the contrary.

Il est toujours du bon avis= His opinion is always good.

Il y a jour d’avis= There is no hurry; There is plenty of time for consideration.

*Avis au lecteur= A note to the reader; A word to the wise;Verb. sap.

(Il) m’est avis qu’il cherche à vous tromper= Somehow I think he wants to deceive you.

*Deux avis valent mieux qu’un= Two heads are better than one.

[The Greeks said: εἷς ἀνήρ, οὐδεὶς ἀνήρ = One man, no man.]

Sauf avis contraire= Unless I hear (or, write) to the contrary.

AviserC’est un avisé compère= He is a cunning fellow.On y avisera= We will see to it.Il ne s’avise jamais de rien= He never thinks of anything; He has no initiative.On ne s’avise jamais de tout= One never thinks of everything.Ne vous en avisez pas= You had better not.Un fou avise bien un sage= Good advice often comes whence we do not expect it.Un verre de vin avise bien un homme= A glass of wine puts wit into a man.

Aviser

C’est un avisé compère= He is a cunning fellow.On y avisera= We will see to it.Il ne s’avise jamais de rien= He never thinks of anything; He has no initiative.On ne s’avise jamais de tout= One never thinks of everything.Ne vous en avisez pas= You had better not.Un fou avise bien un sage= Good advice often comes whence we do not expect it.Un verre de vin avise bien un homme= A glass of wine puts wit into a man.

C’est un avisé compère= He is a cunning fellow.

On y avisera= We will see to it.

Il ne s’avise jamais de rien= He never thinks of anything; He has no initiative.

On ne s’avise jamais de tout= One never thinks of everything.

Ne vous en avisez pas= You had better not.

Un fou avise bien un sage= Good advice often comes whence we do not expect it.

Un verre de vin avise bien un homme= A glass of wine puts wit into a man.

Avoir[The French useavoirfrequently where we useto be, as in—Avoir faim,soif,chaud,froid,raison,tort,pitié,honte,peur,soin,besoin,mal= To be hungry, thirsty, hot, cold, right, wrong, sorry, ashamed, afraid, careful, in want, ill.]J’aurai raison de son entêtement= I will master his obstinacy.J’en ai bien envie= I should like it very much.Elle n’a pour tout bien que sa beauté= She has nothing but her beauty in her favour; Her face is her fortune.J’en ai pour deux heures= I shall be two hours over it.J’en ai pour six mois à m’ennuyer= I am looking forward to (or, in for) six months’ boredom.Vous avez la parole= It is your turn to speak.Vous avez la main= It’s your turn to play (at cards).Vous avez le dé= It’s your turn to play (at dice).Il ne fera cela qu’autant que vous l’aurez pour agréable= He will never think of doing it if you object to it.Avoir de quoi(pop.) = To be in easy circumstances.J’ai de quoi payer= I have enough money to pay.Il y a de quoi= (lit.) There is good reason; (ironic.) There is no reason.Je vous demande pardon.—Il n’y a pas de quoi= I beg your pardon.—Pray do not mention it.J’ai beau dire, il en fera à sa tête= It is of no use my talking, he will do as he likes.C’est un homme que j’ai dans la main= He is a man I hold in the hollow of my hand,i.e.I can make him do what I like.Qu’avez vous? J’ai que je m’ennuie= What is the matter with you? The matter is that I am bored to death.Vous en aurez= You will catch it.Contre qui en avez-vous?= Against whom have you a grudge?Il n’est rien de tel que d’en avoir= There is nothing like money to make one respected.Quand il n’y en a plus, il y en a encore= The thing is inexhaustible; It is easy to get more.Il n’y a qu’à pleuvoir= It may happen to rain; What if it rains?Je vais lui dire cela.—Non, il n’aurait qu’à se fâcher= I will tell him that.—No, don’t, he might get angry.C’est un homme comme il n’y en a point= He is a man who has not his match; There is no equal to him.

Avoir

[The French useavoirfrequently where we useto be, as in—Avoir faim,soif,chaud,froid,raison,tort,pitié,honte,peur,soin,besoin,mal= To be hungry, thirsty, hot, cold, right, wrong, sorry, ashamed, afraid, careful, in want, ill.]J’aurai raison de son entêtement= I will master his obstinacy.J’en ai bien envie= I should like it very much.Elle n’a pour tout bien que sa beauté= She has nothing but her beauty in her favour; Her face is her fortune.J’en ai pour deux heures= I shall be two hours over it.J’en ai pour six mois à m’ennuyer= I am looking forward to (or, in for) six months’ boredom.Vous avez la parole= It is your turn to speak.Vous avez la main= It’s your turn to play (at cards).Vous avez le dé= It’s your turn to play (at dice).Il ne fera cela qu’autant que vous l’aurez pour agréable= He will never think of doing it if you object to it.Avoir de quoi(pop.) = To be in easy circumstances.J’ai de quoi payer= I have enough money to pay.Il y a de quoi= (lit.) There is good reason; (ironic.) There is no reason.Je vous demande pardon.—Il n’y a pas de quoi= I beg your pardon.—Pray do not mention it.J’ai beau dire, il en fera à sa tête= It is of no use my talking, he will do as he likes.C’est un homme que j’ai dans la main= He is a man I hold in the hollow of my hand,i.e.I can make him do what I like.Qu’avez vous? J’ai que je m’ennuie= What is the matter with you? The matter is that I am bored to death.Vous en aurez= You will catch it.Contre qui en avez-vous?= Against whom have you a grudge?Il n’est rien de tel que d’en avoir= There is nothing like money to make one respected.Quand il n’y en a plus, il y en a encore= The thing is inexhaustible; It is easy to get more.Il n’y a qu’à pleuvoir= It may happen to rain; What if it rains?Je vais lui dire cela.—Non, il n’aurait qu’à se fâcher= I will tell him that.—No, don’t, he might get angry.C’est un homme comme il n’y en a point= He is a man who has not his match; There is no equal to him.

J’aurai raison de son entêtement= I will master his obstinacy.

J’en ai bien envie= I should like it very much.

Elle n’a pour tout bien que sa beauté= She has nothing but her beauty in her favour; Her face is her fortune.

J’en ai pour deux heures= I shall be two hours over it.

J’en ai pour six mois à m’ennuyer= I am looking forward to (or, in for) six months’ boredom.

Vous avez la parole= It is your turn to speak.

Vous avez la main= It’s your turn to play (at cards).

Vous avez le dé= It’s your turn to play (at dice).

Il ne fera cela qu’autant que vous l’aurez pour agréable= He will never think of doing it if you object to it.

Avoir de quoi(pop.) = To be in easy circumstances.

J’ai de quoi payer= I have enough money to pay.

Il y a de quoi= (lit.) There is good reason; (ironic.) There is no reason.

Je vous demande pardon.—Il n’y a pas de quoi= I beg your pardon.—Pray do not mention it.

J’ai beau dire, il en fera à sa tête= It is of no use my talking, he will do as he likes.

C’est un homme que j’ai dans la main= He is a man I hold in the hollow of my hand,i.e.I can make him do what I like.

Qu’avez vous? J’ai que je m’ennuie= What is the matter with you? The matter is that I am bored to death.

Vous en aurez= You will catch it.

Contre qui en avez-vous?= Against whom have you a grudge?

Il n’est rien de tel que d’en avoir= There is nothing like money to make one respected.

Quand il n’y en a plus, il y en a encore= The thing is inexhaustible; It is easy to get more.

Il n’y a qu’à pleuvoir= It may happen to rain; What if it rains?

Je vais lui dire cela.—Non, il n’aurait qu’à se fâcher= I will tell him that.—No, don’t, he might get angry.

C’est un homme comme il n’y en a point= He is a man who has not his match; There is no equal to him.

AvrilEn avrilNe te découvre pas d’un fil= Change not a cloutTill May be out.[En maiFais ce qu’il te plaît.]

Avril

En avrilNe te découvre pas d’un fil= Change not a cloutTill May be out.[En maiFais ce qu’il te plaît.]

En avrilNe te découvre pas d’un fil= Change not a cloutTill May be out.

[En maiFais ce qu’il te plaît.]

BÊtre marqué au b= To be either hump-backed, one-eyed, lame, or a stutterer.[i.e.bossu,borgne,boiteux,ou bègue.]

Être marqué au b= To be either hump-backed, one-eyed, lame, or a stutterer.[i.e.bossu,borgne,boiteux,ou bègue.]

Être marqué au b= To be either hump-backed, one-eyed, lame, or a stutterer.

[i.e.bossu,borgne,boiteux,ou bègue.]

BâclerBâcler son ouvrage= To do one’s work quickly and badly; To “polish off” (or, scamp) one’s work.[Also:travailler à dépêche-compagnon.]

Bâcler

Bâcler son ouvrage= To do one’s work quickly and badly; To “polish off” (or, scamp) one’s work.[Also:travailler à dépêche-compagnon.]

Bâcler son ouvrage= To do one’s work quickly and badly; To “polish off” (or, scamp) one’s work.

[Also:travailler à dépêche-compagnon.]

Badiner*“On ne badine pas avec l’amour” = Love is not to be trifled with.[This is the title of one of Alfred de Musset’sProverbes. SeePorte.]

Badiner

*“On ne badine pas avec l’amour” = Love is not to be trifled with.[This is the title of one of Alfred de Musset’sProverbes. SeePorte.]

*“On ne badine pas avec l’amour” = Love is not to be trifled with.

[This is the title of one of Alfred de Musset’sProverbes. SeePorte.]

BagageQuel est le bagage de cet auteur?= What works has that author written? What is that author’s output?Plier bagage= To pack up and be off.

Bagage

Quel est le bagage de cet auteur?= What works has that author written? What is that author’s output?Plier bagage= To pack up and be off.

Quel est le bagage de cet auteur?= What works has that author written? What is that author’s output?

Plier bagage= To pack up and be off.

BagatelleBagatelles que tout cela= That is all stuff and nonsense.Vive la bagatelle!= Away with care!

Bagatelle

Bagatelles que tout cela= That is all stuff and nonsense.Vive la bagatelle!= Away with care!

Bagatelles que tout cela= That is all stuff and nonsense.

Vive la bagatelle!= Away with care!

BagueCette place est une bague au doigt= That position is a sinecure.[C’est une bague au doigtis said of any advantageous possession of which one can dispose easily. Quitard derives it from the custom of the seller of land giving to the purchaser as his title a ring on which both had sworn.]

Bague

Cette place est une bague au doigt= That position is a sinecure.[C’est une bague au doigtis said of any advantageous possession of which one can dispose easily. Quitard derives it from the custom of the seller of land giving to the purchaser as his title a ring on which both had sworn.]

Cette place est une bague au doigt= That position is a sinecure.

[C’est une bague au doigtis said of any advantageous possession of which one can dispose easily. Quitard derives it from the custom of the seller of land giving to the purchaser as his title a ring on which both had sworn.]

BaguetteMener les gens à la baguette= To rule men with a rod of iron; To be a martinet.

Baguette

Mener les gens à la baguette= To rule men with a rod of iron; To be a martinet.

BaiserIl y a toujours l’un qui baise et l’autre qui tend la joue= Love is never exactly reciprocal.[Shakespeare,Troilus and Cressida, iv. 5.]

Baiser

Il y a toujours l’un qui baise et l’autre qui tend la joue= Love is never exactly reciprocal.[Shakespeare,Troilus and Cressida, iv. 5.]

Il y a toujours l’un qui baise et l’autre qui tend la joue= Love is never exactly reciprocal.

[Shakespeare,Troilus and Cressida, iv. 5.]

BaisserBaisser l’oreille= To look confused (or, sheepish.)[From the action of dogs when expecting a beating.]Ma vue baisse= I am getting short-sighted; My sight is failing.[In this sensebaissermeans to weaken, and is also used of moral and intellectual qualities, as:le sens moral a baissé,ma mémoire baisse.]Il a donné tête baissée dans le piège (panneau)= He ran headlong into the trap.Je lui ai fait baisser les yeux= I stared him out of countenance.Il n’a qu’à se baisser pour en prendre= He has only to stoop and pick it up; He has merely to ask for it to get it.

Baisser

Baisser l’oreille= To look confused (or, sheepish.)[From the action of dogs when expecting a beating.]Ma vue baisse= I am getting short-sighted; My sight is failing.[In this sensebaissermeans to weaken, and is also used of moral and intellectual qualities, as:le sens moral a baissé,ma mémoire baisse.]Il a donné tête baissée dans le piège (panneau)= He ran headlong into the trap.Je lui ai fait baisser les yeux= I stared him out of countenance.Il n’a qu’à se baisser pour en prendre= He has only to stoop and pick it up; He has merely to ask for it to get it.

Baisser l’oreille= To look confused (or, sheepish.)

[From the action of dogs when expecting a beating.]

Ma vue baisse= I am getting short-sighted; My sight is failing.

[In this sensebaissermeans to weaken, and is also used of moral and intellectual qualities, as:le sens moral a baissé,ma mémoire baisse.]

Il a donné tête baissée dans le piège (panneau)= He ran headlong into the trap.

Je lui ai fait baisser les yeux= I stared him out of countenance.

Il n’a qu’à se baisser pour en prendre= He has only to stoop and pick it up; He has merely to ask for it to get it.

Balai*Il n’est rien de tel que balai neuf= A new broom sweeps clean.On lui a donné du balai= They gave him the sack (i.e.dismissed him).Donner un coup de balai= To make a clean sweep.

Balai

*Il n’est rien de tel que balai neuf= A new broom sweeps clean.On lui a donné du balai= They gave him the sack (i.e.dismissed him).Donner un coup de balai= To make a clean sweep.

*Il n’est rien de tel que balai neuf= A new broom sweeps clean.

On lui a donné du balai= They gave him the sack (i.e.dismissed him).

Donner un coup de balai= To make a clean sweep.

BalanceFaire pencher la balance= To turn the scale.

Balance

Faire pencher la balance= To turn the scale.

BalancerIl n’y a pas à balancer= We must not hesitate, but act.

Balancer

Il n’y a pas à balancer= We must not hesitate, but act.

BalleUne balle perdue= A wasted shot; A useless effort.Une balle morte= A spent ball.A vous la balle= It is now your turn to act.Renvoyer la balle= To return the compliment.Prendre la balle au bond= Not to miss an opportunity; To take time by the forelock; To make hay while the sun shines.[Also:Prendre l’occasion aux cheveux.Compare:“Rem tibi quam nosces, aptam dimittere noli;Fronte capillata post est Occasio calva.”Cato,Distichs, ii. 26.“Her lockes, that loathly were and hoarie grey,Grew all afore, and loosely hong unrold,But all behind was bald, and worne awayThat none thereof could ever taken hold.”Spenser,Faerie Queene, ii. 4, 4.“Occasion turneth a bald noddle after she hath presented her locks in front and no hold taken.”Bacon,Essays, xxi.“Remember the old adage and make use o’t,Occasion’s bald behind.”Massinger,Guardian, iv. 1.]Il s’en acquittera bien, c’est un enfant de la balle= He will do it well, he is his father’s son.[Originally this was applied to children of tennis-players, but now to all who follow the profession of their fathers.]

Balle

Une balle perdue= A wasted shot; A useless effort.Une balle morte= A spent ball.A vous la balle= It is now your turn to act.Renvoyer la balle= To return the compliment.Prendre la balle au bond= Not to miss an opportunity; To take time by the forelock; To make hay while the sun shines.[Also:Prendre l’occasion aux cheveux.Compare:“Rem tibi quam nosces, aptam dimittere noli;Fronte capillata post est Occasio calva.”Cato,Distichs, ii. 26.“Her lockes, that loathly were and hoarie grey,Grew all afore, and loosely hong unrold,But all behind was bald, and worne awayThat none thereof could ever taken hold.”Spenser,Faerie Queene, ii. 4, 4.“Occasion turneth a bald noddle after she hath presented her locks in front and no hold taken.”Bacon,Essays, xxi.“Remember the old adage and make use o’t,Occasion’s bald behind.”Massinger,Guardian, iv. 1.]Il s’en acquittera bien, c’est un enfant de la balle= He will do it well, he is his father’s son.[Originally this was applied to children of tennis-players, but now to all who follow the profession of their fathers.]

Une balle perdue= A wasted shot; A useless effort.

Une balle morte= A spent ball.

A vous la balle= It is now your turn to act.

Renvoyer la balle= To return the compliment.

Prendre la balle au bond= Not to miss an opportunity; To take time by the forelock; To make hay while the sun shines.

[Also:Prendre l’occasion aux cheveux.

Compare:“Rem tibi quam nosces, aptam dimittere noli;Fronte capillata post est Occasio calva.”Cato,Distichs, ii. 26.

“Her lockes, that loathly were and hoarie grey,Grew all afore, and loosely hong unrold,But all behind was bald, and worne awayThat none thereof could ever taken hold.”Spenser,Faerie Queene, ii. 4, 4.

“Occasion turneth a bald noddle after she hath presented her locks in front and no hold taken.”Bacon,Essays, xxi.

“Remember the old adage and make use o’t,Occasion’s bald behind.”Massinger,Guardian, iv. 1.]

Il s’en acquittera bien, c’est un enfant de la balle= He will do it well, he is his father’s son.

[Originally this was applied to children of tennis-players, but now to all who follow the profession of their fathers.]

BallonIl lança un ballon d’essai avant de produire son grand ouvrage= He sent out a feeler before publishing his great work.

Ballon

Il lança un ballon d’essai avant de produire son grand ouvrage= He sent out a feeler before publishing his great work.

BanLe roi convoqua le ban et l’arrière-ban= The king assembled all his dependants.[Le banwere the king’s direct vassals, such as earls, barons, and knights;l’arrière-banwere the king’s indirect vassals, or the vassals of vassals. “A proclamation whereby all (except some privileged officers and citizens) that hold their lands of the Crowne, are summoned to meet at a certaine place, there to attend the King whithersoever and against whomsoever he goes.”—Cotgrave.]

Ban

Le roi convoqua le ban et l’arrière-ban= The king assembled all his dependants.[Le banwere the king’s direct vassals, such as earls, barons, and knights;l’arrière-banwere the king’s indirect vassals, or the vassals of vassals. “A proclamation whereby all (except some privileged officers and citizens) that hold their lands of the Crowne, are summoned to meet at a certaine place, there to attend the King whithersoever and against whomsoever he goes.”—Cotgrave.]

Le roi convoqua le ban et l’arrière-ban= The king assembled all his dependants.

[Le banwere the king’s direct vassals, such as earls, barons, and knights;l’arrière-banwere the king’s indirect vassals, or the vassals of vassals. “A proclamation whereby all (except some privileged officers and citizens) that hold their lands of the Crowne, are summoned to meet at a certaine place, there to attend the King whithersoever and against whomsoever he goes.”—Cotgrave.]

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