D.

CouperIl s’est coupé dans ses réponses= He contradicted himself in his answers.Il lui a coupé la parole= He interrupted him.Son père lui a coupé les vivres= His father stopped his allowance.Ce verre de bière m’a coupé les jambes= My legs feel shaky after that glass of beer.Couper un cheveu en quatre= To split hairs.Coupons le câble= Let us take the decisive step.[Sieyès, June 10, 1789.]Cela lui a coupé le sifflet(pop.) = That stopped his mouth; That shut him up.Je vais y couper(pop.) = I am going to “cut” that; I am not going to do it.

Couper

Il s’est coupé dans ses réponses= He contradicted himself in his answers.Il lui a coupé la parole= He interrupted him.Son père lui a coupé les vivres= His father stopped his allowance.Ce verre de bière m’a coupé les jambes= My legs feel shaky after that glass of beer.Couper un cheveu en quatre= To split hairs.Coupons le câble= Let us take the decisive step.[Sieyès, June 10, 1789.]Cela lui a coupé le sifflet(pop.) = That stopped his mouth; That shut him up.Je vais y couper(pop.) = I am going to “cut” that; I am not going to do it.

Il s’est coupé dans ses réponses= He contradicted himself in his answers.

Il lui a coupé la parole= He interrupted him.

Son père lui a coupé les vivres= His father stopped his allowance.

Ce verre de bière m’a coupé les jambes= My legs feel shaky after that glass of beer.

Couper un cheveu en quatre= To split hairs.

Coupons le câble= Let us take the decisive step.

[Sieyès, June 10, 1789.]

Cela lui a coupé le sifflet(pop.) = That stopped his mouth; That shut him up.

Je vais y couper(pop.) = I am going to “cut” that; I am not going to do it.

CouragePrenez votre courage à deux mains= Summon up all your courage.Courage! tout finira bien= Cheer up! all will yet be well.

Courage

Prenez votre courage à deux mains= Summon up all your courage.Courage! tout finira bien= Cheer up! all will yet be well.

Prenez votre courage à deux mains= Summon up all your courage.

Courage! tout finira bien= Cheer up! all will yet be well.

CourantJe vous écrirai fin courant(commercial) = I will write to you at the end of the present month.Je ne suis pas au courant de l’affaire= I have not the latest information on the point; I am not up (well posted) in the matter.

Courant

Je vous écrirai fin courant(commercial) = I will write to you at the end of the present month.Je ne suis pas au courant de l’affaire= I have not the latest information on the point; I am not up (well posted) in the matter.

Je vous écrirai fin courant(commercial) = I will write to you at the end of the present month.

Je ne suis pas au courant de l’affaire= I have not the latest information on the point; I am not up (well posted) in the matter.

CourirPar le temps qui court= Nowadays; As times go.Être fou à courir les champs= To be as mad as a March hare.Nous courons même fortune= We are rowing in the same boat.“Rien ne sert de courir, il faut partir à point” = It is no good hurrying if you have not started in time.[La Fontaine,Le lièvre et la tortue, vi. 10.]

Courir

Par le temps qui court= Nowadays; As times go.Être fou à courir les champs= To be as mad as a March hare.Nous courons même fortune= We are rowing in the same boat.“Rien ne sert de courir, il faut partir à point” = It is no good hurrying if you have not started in time.[La Fontaine,Le lièvre et la tortue, vi. 10.]

Par le temps qui court= Nowadays; As times go.

Être fou à courir les champs= To be as mad as a March hare.

Nous courons même fortune= We are rowing in the same boat.

“Rien ne sert de courir, il faut partir à point” = It is no good hurrying if you have not started in time.

[La Fontaine,Le lièvre et la tortue, vi. 10.]

CourrierRépondez par retour du courrier= Answer by return of post.Faire son courrier(commercial) = To write one’s letters.

Courrier

Répondez par retour du courrier= Answer by return of post.Faire son courrier(commercial) = To write one’s letters.

Répondez par retour du courrier= Answer by return of post.

Faire son courrier(commercial) = To write one’s letters.

CourroieIl faut lui serrer la courroie= We must curtail his allowance; We must keep him on short commons.Faire du cuir d’autrui large courroie= To be generous with other people’s money.

Courroie

Il faut lui serrer la courroie= We must curtail his allowance; We must keep him on short commons.Faire du cuir d’autrui large courroie= To be generous with other people’s money.

Il faut lui serrer la courroie= We must curtail his allowance; We must keep him on short commons.

Faire du cuir d’autrui large courroie= To be generous with other people’s money.

CoursLes pièces des États du Pape n’ont plus cours= The coins of the Papal States are no longer legal tender.Un capitaine au long cours= A captain of a trading vessel going to foreign ports.

Cours

Les pièces des États du Pape n’ont plus cours= The coins of the Papal States are no longer legal tender.Un capitaine au long cours= A captain of a trading vessel going to foreign ports.

Les pièces des États du Pape n’ont plus cours= The coins of the Papal States are no longer legal tender.

Un capitaine au long cours= A captain of a trading vessel going to foreign ports.

CourtJe suis resté court= I did not know what to say.Je l’ai pris à court= I took him unawares.Il se trouve à court (d’argent)= He is short of money.Dites cela tout court= Say that and no more.Il l’a appelé Jean tout court= He called him simply (or, just) John (without Mr. or surname).

Court

Je suis resté court= I did not know what to say.Je l’ai pris à court= I took him unawares.Il se trouve à court (d’argent)= He is short of money.Dites cela tout court= Say that and no more.Il l’a appelé Jean tout court= He called him simply (or, just) John (without Mr. or surname).

Je suis resté court= I did not know what to say.

Je l’ai pris à court= I took him unawares.

Il se trouve à court (d’argent)= He is short of money.

Dites cela tout court= Say that and no more.

Il l’a appelé Jean tout court= He called him simply (or, just) John (without Mr. or surname).

CouteauIls sont à couteaux tirés= They are at daggers drawn.[Formerly:Ils en sont aux couteaux tirés.]Aller en Flandre sans couteau= To embark in an enterprise without the necessary resources.[Also:Aller aux mûres sans crochet.]C’est comme le couteau de Jeannot= That is like the Irishman’s gun (said of anything that has been mended so often as to have nothing of the original left).

Couteau

Ils sont à couteaux tirés= They are at daggers drawn.[Formerly:Ils en sont aux couteaux tirés.]Aller en Flandre sans couteau= To embark in an enterprise without the necessary resources.[Also:Aller aux mûres sans crochet.]C’est comme le couteau de Jeannot= That is like the Irishman’s gun (said of anything that has been mended so often as to have nothing of the original left).

Ils sont à couteaux tirés= They are at daggers drawn.

[Formerly:Ils en sont aux couteaux tirés.]

Aller en Flandre sans couteau= To embark in an enterprise without the necessary resources.

[Also:Aller aux mûres sans crochet.]

C’est comme le couteau de Jeannot= That is like the Irishman’s gun (said of anything that has been mended so often as to have nothing of the original left).

CoûterRien ne lui coûte= He sticks at nothing; He spares no trouble.Coûte que coûte= Cost what it may.Coûter les yeux de la tête= To cost a small fortune, a fearful lot of money.

Coûter

Rien ne lui coûte= He sticks at nothing; He spares no trouble.Coûte que coûte= Cost what it may.Coûter les yeux de la tête= To cost a small fortune, a fearful lot of money.

Rien ne lui coûte= He sticks at nothing; He spares no trouble.

Coûte que coûte= Cost what it may.

Coûter les yeux de la tête= To cost a small fortune, a fearful lot of money.

Coutume*Une fois n’est pas coutume= It is only this once; One swallow does not make a summer; Once does not count.

Coutume

*Une fois n’est pas coutume= It is only this once; One swallow does not make a summer; Once does not count.

CoutumierIl est coutumier du fait= It is not the first time he has done it.

Coutumier

Il est coutumier du fait= It is not the first time he has done it.

CoutureIls étaient battus à plate couture= They were beaten hollow.

Couture

Ils étaient battus à plate couture= They were beaten hollow.

CouvercleCouvercle digne du chaudron= The lid matches the caldron; They are a precious pair;Arcades ambo.

Couvercle

Couvercle digne du chaudron= The lid matches the caldron; They are a precious pair;Arcades ambo.

CouvertMettez le couvert= Lay the cloth (for dinner).Mettez un couvert de plus= Put another knife and fork (for another guest); Lay for one more.

Couvert

Mettez le couvert= Lay the cloth (for dinner).Mettez un couvert de plus= Put another knife and fork (for another guest); Lay for one more.

Mettez le couvert= Lay the cloth (for dinner).

Mettez un couvert de plus= Put another knife and fork (for another guest); Lay for one more.

CracherC’est son père tout craché(fam.) = He is the very spit (or, less fam., image) of his father.Il a craché en l’air et ça lui est retombé sur le nez(pop.) = He wished to do harm to another but it recoiled on himself.Il ne crache pas dessus= He does not despise it; He likes it very much.

Cracher

C’est son père tout craché(fam.) = He is the very spit (or, less fam., image) of his father.Il a craché en l’air et ça lui est retombé sur le nez(pop.) = He wished to do harm to another but it recoiled on himself.Il ne crache pas dessus= He does not despise it; He likes it very much.

C’est son père tout craché(fam.) = He is the very spit (or, less fam., image) of his father.

Il a craché en l’air et ça lui est retombé sur le nez(pop.) = He wished to do harm to another but it recoiled on himself.

Il ne crache pas dessus= He does not despise it; He likes it very much.

CrémaillèrePendre la crémaillère= To give a house warming.[Crémaillère = tige de fer suspendue au dessus du foyer d’une cheminée garnie de crans, qui permettent de la fixer plus ou moins haut, et terminée par un bout recourbé auquel on accroche une marmite. Compare Longfellow’s poem “The Hanging of the Crane.”]

Crémaillère

Pendre la crémaillère= To give a house warming.[Crémaillère = tige de fer suspendue au dessus du foyer d’une cheminée garnie de crans, qui permettent de la fixer plus ou moins haut, et terminée par un bout recourbé auquel on accroche une marmite. Compare Longfellow’s poem “The Hanging of the Crane.”]

Pendre la crémaillère= To give a house warming.

[Crémaillère = tige de fer suspendue au dessus du foyer d’une cheminée garnie de crans, qui permettent de la fixer plus ou moins haut, et terminée par un bout recourbé auquel on accroche une marmite. Compare Longfellow’s poem “The Hanging of the Crane.”]

CreverLe roi Jean a crevé les yeux à Arthur= King John caused Arthur’s eyes to be put out.Je ne voyais pas mon livre, cependant il me crevait les yeux= I did not see my book, yet it was staring me in the face (right under my nose).

Crever

Le roi Jean a crevé les yeux à Arthur= King John caused Arthur’s eyes to be put out.Je ne voyais pas mon livre, cependant il me crevait les yeux= I did not see my book, yet it was staring me in the face (right under my nose).

Le roi Jean a crevé les yeux à Arthur= King John caused Arthur’s eyes to be put out.

Je ne voyais pas mon livre, cependant il me crevait les yeux= I did not see my book, yet it was staring me in the face (right under my nose).

CriIl n’y a qu’un cri sur son compte= There is only one opinion about him.Elle poussa les hauts cris= She screamed at the top of her voice; She complained loudly.C’est le dernier cri= It is the last thing out.

Cri

Il n’y a qu’un cri sur son compte= There is only one opinion about him.Elle poussa les hauts cris= She screamed at the top of her voice; She complained loudly.C’est le dernier cri= It is the last thing out.

Il n’y a qu’un cri sur son compte= There is only one opinion about him.

Elle poussa les hauts cris= She screamed at the top of her voice; She complained loudly.

C’est le dernier cri= It is the last thing out.

CriblerCriblé de mitraille= Riddled with grape-shot.Criblé de dettes= Over head and ears in debt.

Cribler

Criblé de mitraille= Riddled with grape-shot.Criblé de dettes= Over head and ears in debt.

Criblé de mitraille= Riddled with grape-shot.

Criblé de dettes= Over head and ears in debt.

CrierCrier famine sur un tas de blé= To cry out for what one has in plenty.Plumer la poule sans la faire crier= To fleece a person adroitly, without his perceiving it.

Crier

Crier famine sur un tas de blé= To cry out for what one has in plenty.Plumer la poule sans la faire crier= To fleece a person adroitly, without his perceiving it.

Crier famine sur un tas de blé= To cry out for what one has in plenty.

Plumer la poule sans la faire crier= To fleece a person adroitly, without his perceiving it.

CrinUn républicain à tous crins= Every inch a republican.[Properly of a horse with flowing mane and tail, hence thorough, strong.]

Crin

Un républicain à tous crins= Every inch a republican.[Properly of a horse with flowing mane and tail, hence thorough, strong.]

Un républicain à tous crins= Every inch a republican.

[Properly of a horse with flowing mane and tail, hence thorough, strong.]

CrochetIl a trente ans, et cependant il vit aux crochets de sa mère= He is thirty years old, and yet his mother has to keep him.

Crochet

Il a trente ans, et cependant il vit aux crochets de sa mère= He is thirty years old, and yet his mother has to keep him.

CroireIl s’en croit beaucoup= He thinks a great deal of himself.C’est à n’y pas croire= It is not to be believed; It is so extraordinary (incredible, preposterous) that we can hardly believe it.A l’en croire il a eu tous les prix= If he is to be believed he won all the prizes.“Et chacun croit fort aisémentCe qu’il craint et ce qu’il désire.”= The wish is father to the thought.[La Fontaine,Fables, i. 6. Le loup et le renard.Compare 2Henry IV., iv. 5.“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt.”—Cæsar, iii. 18.]

Croire

Il s’en croit beaucoup= He thinks a great deal of himself.C’est à n’y pas croire= It is not to be believed; It is so extraordinary (incredible, preposterous) that we can hardly believe it.A l’en croire il a eu tous les prix= If he is to be believed he won all the prizes.“Et chacun croit fort aisémentCe qu’il craint et ce qu’il désire.”= The wish is father to the thought.[La Fontaine,Fables, i. 6. Le loup et le renard.Compare 2Henry IV., iv. 5.“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt.”—Cæsar, iii. 18.]

Il s’en croit beaucoup= He thinks a great deal of himself.

C’est à n’y pas croire= It is not to be believed; It is so extraordinary (incredible, preposterous) that we can hardly believe it.

A l’en croire il a eu tous les prix= If he is to be believed he won all the prizes.

“Et chacun croit fort aisémentCe qu’il craint et ce qu’il désire.”= The wish is father to the thought.

[La Fontaine,Fables, i. 6. Le loup et le renard.

Compare 2Henry IV., iv. 5.

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt.”—Cæsar, iii. 18.]

CroixAller au devant de quelqu’un avec la croix et la bannière= To receive any one with great fuss and ceremony (often used ironically).

Croix

Aller au devant de quelqu’un avec la croix et la bannière= To receive any one with great fuss and ceremony (often used ironically).

CroquerVotre enfant est gentil à croquer= Your child is a charming little fellow.Il croquait le marmot= He was dancing attendance; He was cooling his heels.[Littré gives as the explanation of this obscure expression that artists while waiting for their patrons used to draw pictures of little monkeys (marmot) in the vestibule. Others assert that in the antechambers of the rich were to be found dishes of cakes in the form of little monkeys, which visitors used to eat (croquer) whilst waiting. But both explanations need confirmation.]

Croquer

Votre enfant est gentil à croquer= Your child is a charming little fellow.Il croquait le marmot= He was dancing attendance; He was cooling his heels.[Littré gives as the explanation of this obscure expression that artists while waiting for their patrons used to draw pictures of little monkeys (marmot) in the vestibule. Others assert that in the antechambers of the rich were to be found dishes of cakes in the form of little monkeys, which visitors used to eat (croquer) whilst waiting. But both explanations need confirmation.]

Votre enfant est gentil à croquer= Your child is a charming little fellow.

Il croquait le marmot= He was dancing attendance; He was cooling his heels.

[Littré gives as the explanation of this obscure expression that artists while waiting for their patrons used to draw pictures of little monkeys (marmot) in the vestibule. Others assert that in the antechambers of the rich were to be found dishes of cakes in the form of little monkeys, which visitors used to eat (croquer) whilst waiting. But both explanations need confirmation.]

CruS’agenouiller à cru= To kneel on the bare ground, on the cold stone (without a hassock or carpet).[Literally, to kneel on the bare knee, but the quality has passed from the person to the object.]C’est de son cru= That is of his own creation.

Cru

S’agenouiller à cru= To kneel on the bare ground, on the cold stone (without a hassock or carpet).[Literally, to kneel on the bare knee, but the quality has passed from the person to the object.]C’est de son cru= That is of his own creation.

S’agenouiller à cru= To kneel on the bare ground, on the cold stone (without a hassock or carpet).

[Literally, to kneel on the bare knee, but the quality has passed from the person to the object.]

C’est de son cru= That is of his own creation.

CrucheC’est une vraie cruche(fam.) = She is a silly goose.

Cruche

C’est une vraie cruche(fam.) = She is a silly goose.

CuirPester entre cuir et chair(fam.) = To fume inwardly.Faire des cuirs= To drop one’s h’s.[Really these are faults made by uneducated French people in pronunciation, consisting in soundingsfort, orvice versa, when running their words together or in pronouncing these letters when they do not occur, as:ils étaientzici, forils étaient ici.]

Cuir

Pester entre cuir et chair(fam.) = To fume inwardly.Faire des cuirs= To drop one’s h’s.[Really these are faults made by uneducated French people in pronunciation, consisting in soundingsfort, orvice versa, when running their words together or in pronouncing these letters when they do not occur, as:ils étaientzici, forils étaient ici.]

Pester entre cuir et chair(fam.) = To fume inwardly.

Faire des cuirs= To drop one’s h’s.

[Really these are faults made by uneducated French people in pronunciation, consisting in soundingsfort, orvice versa, when running their words together or in pronouncing these letters when they do not occur, as:ils étaientzici, forils étaient ici.]

CuirasseLes observations glissent sur lui comme sur une cuirasse= Blame slips off him as water off a duck’s back.

Cuirasse

Les observations glissent sur lui comme sur une cuirasse= Blame slips off him as water off a duck’s back.

CuireVous viendrez cuire à mon four= Some day you will need my assistance.Il vous en cuira= You will smart for it.Avoir son pain cuit= To have one’s bread and cheese, a competency.

Cuire

Vous viendrez cuire à mon four= Some day you will need my assistance.Il vous en cuira= You will smart for it.Avoir son pain cuit= To have one’s bread and cheese, a competency.

Vous viendrez cuire à mon four= Some day you will need my assistance.

Il vous en cuira= You will smart for it.

Avoir son pain cuit= To have one’s bread and cheese, a competency.

Culbute*Au bout du fossé la culbute= At the end of the run comes the fall.[This expression refers to those who, from carelessness or wrong-headedness, are resigned to the consequences of their bad conduct.]

Culbute

*Au bout du fossé la culbute= At the end of the run comes the fall.[This expression refers to those who, from carelessness or wrong-headedness, are resigned to the consequences of their bad conduct.]

*Au bout du fossé la culbute= At the end of the run comes the fall.

[This expression refers to those who, from carelessness or wrong-headedness, are resigned to the consequences of their bad conduct.]

CuverCuver son vin= To sleep oneself sober.

Cuver

Cuver son vin= To sleep oneself sober.

DameUne grande dame de par le monde= A great lady in the eyes of the world.[This should be writtenUne grande dame de la part du monde. Littré points out that the error in spellingparforpartis a very old one; it would appear to date from the thirteenth century from the examples he quotes.De par le mondemust be derived fromde parte mundi, asde perwas never used.]

Dame

Une grande dame de par le monde= A great lady in the eyes of the world.[This should be writtenUne grande dame de la part du monde. Littré points out that the error in spellingparforpartis a very old one; it would appear to date from the thirteenth century from the examples he quotes.De par le mondemust be derived fromde parte mundi, asde perwas never used.]

Une grande dame de par le monde= A great lady in the eyes of the world.

[This should be writtenUne grande dame de la part du monde. Littré points out that the error in spellingparforpartis a very old one; it would appear to date from the thirteenth century from the examples he quotes.De par le mondemust be derived fromde parte mundi, asde perwas never used.]

DamerDamer le pion à quelqu’un= To outwit some one.[From the game of draughts,dame= a king,pion= a man.]

Damer

Damer le pion à quelqu’un= To outwit some one.[From the game of draughts,dame= a king,pion= a man.]

Damer le pion à quelqu’un= To outwit some one.

[From the game of draughts,dame= a king,pion= a man.]

DamnerCet homme est son âme damnée= That man does his dirty work for him, is his tool.[The man who does the dirty work knows he is damning his soul by doing it, but does it all the same for the money or interest it brings him.]

Damner

Cet homme est son âme damnée= That man does his dirty work for him, is his tool.[The man who does the dirty work knows he is damning his soul by doing it, but does it all the same for the money or interest it brings him.]

Cet homme est son âme damnée= That man does his dirty work for him, is his tool.

[The man who does the dirty work knows he is damning his soul by doing it, but does it all the same for the money or interest it brings him.]

DangerIl n’y a pas de danger= No fear of that; Don’t you fret!

Danger

Il n’y a pas de danger= No fear of that; Don’t you fret!

DanserIl ne sait sur quel pied danser= He does not know which way to turn.Il en dansera en l’air= He will swing for it.Danser devant le buffet= To have nothing to eat.

Danser

Il ne sait sur quel pied danser= He does not know which way to turn.Il en dansera en l’air= He will swing for it.Danser devant le buffet= To have nothing to eat.

Il ne sait sur quel pied danser= He does not know which way to turn.

Il en dansera en l’air= He will swing for it.

Danser devant le buffet= To have nothing to eat.

DaterCet événement date de loin= That event happened long ago.

Dater

Cet événement date de loin= That event happened long ago.

DéA vous le dé= It is your turn to play (at dice). [SeeAvoir.]Ne nous flattez pas le dé= Speak out without any reserve.[Flatter le déis to let the dice slide gently out of the box.]“Car madame à jaser tient le dé tout le jour” = Madame engrosses the conversation all day long.[Molière,Tartufe, i. 1.]

Dé

A vous le dé= It is your turn to play (at dice). [SeeAvoir.]Ne nous flattez pas le dé= Speak out without any reserve.[Flatter le déis to let the dice slide gently out of the box.]“Car madame à jaser tient le dé tout le jour” = Madame engrosses the conversation all day long.[Molière,Tartufe, i. 1.]

A vous le dé= It is your turn to play (at dice). [SeeAvoir.]

Ne nous flattez pas le dé= Speak out without any reserve.

[Flatter le déis to let the dice slide gently out of the box.]

“Car madame à jaser tient le dé tout le jour” = Madame engrosses the conversation all day long.

[Molière,Tartufe, i. 1.]

DébandadeIls laissèrent tout à la débandade= They left all at sixes and sevens, in confusion.Fuir à la débandade= To fly helter-skelter.

Débandade

Ils laissèrent tout à la débandade= They left all at sixes and sevens, in confusion.Fuir à la débandade= To fly helter-skelter.

Ils laissèrent tout à la débandade= They left all at sixes and sevens, in confusion.

Fuir à la débandade= To fly helter-skelter.

DébitLe ministre lui a accordé un débit de tabac= The minister has given him a license to sell tobacco.[The sale of tobacco, snuff, gunpowder, and cards is a Government monopoly in France.]

Débit

Le ministre lui a accordé un débit de tabac= The minister has given him a license to sell tobacco.[The sale of tobacco, snuff, gunpowder, and cards is a Government monopoly in France.]

Le ministre lui a accordé un débit de tabac= The minister has given him a license to sell tobacco.

[The sale of tobacco, snuff, gunpowder, and cards is a Government monopoly in France.]

Debout*Mieux vaut goujat debout qu’empereur enterré= “A living dog is better than a dead lion.”—Ecclesiastes ix. 4.[La Fontaine,La Matrone d’Éphèse.Goujatfirst meant a soldier’s servant (as here), now it means a hodman, or bricklayer’s apprentice, hence a vulgar, coarse fellow, a bungler.]Cela ne tient pas debout= That won’t hold water.

Debout

*Mieux vaut goujat debout qu’empereur enterré= “A living dog is better than a dead lion.”—Ecclesiastes ix. 4.[La Fontaine,La Matrone d’Éphèse.Goujatfirst meant a soldier’s servant (as here), now it means a hodman, or bricklayer’s apprentice, hence a vulgar, coarse fellow, a bungler.]Cela ne tient pas debout= That won’t hold water.

*Mieux vaut goujat debout qu’empereur enterré= “A living dog is better than a dead lion.”—Ecclesiastes ix. 4.

[La Fontaine,La Matrone d’Éphèse.Goujatfirst meant a soldier’s servant (as here), now it means a hodman, or bricklayer’s apprentice, hence a vulgar, coarse fellow, a bungler.]

Cela ne tient pas debout= That won’t hold water.

DébriderIl a écrit vingt pages sans débrider= He has written twenty pages at a stretch.

Débrider

Il a écrit vingt pages sans débrider= He has written twenty pages at a stretch.

DéchausserIl ne faut pas se déchausser pour manger cela= It is not worth while sitting down to eat that.[The ancients were in the habit of reclining bare-foot at their meals.]

Déchausser

Il ne faut pas se déchausser pour manger cela= It is not worth while sitting down to eat that.[The ancients were in the habit of reclining bare-foot at their meals.]

Il ne faut pas se déchausser pour manger cela= It is not worth while sitting down to eat that.

[The ancients were in the habit of reclining bare-foot at their meals.]

Décoiffer*Décoiffer (Découvrir) St. Pierre pour coiffer St. Paul= To rob Peter to pay Paul.

Décoiffer

*Décoiffer (Découvrir) St. Pierre pour coiffer St. Paul= To rob Peter to pay Paul.

DécouvrirOn a découvert le pot aux roses= They have discovered the mystery, the secret.Être à découvert= To be unprotected, undisguised.

Découvrir

On a découvert le pot aux roses= They have discovered the mystery, the secret.Être à découvert= To be unprotected, undisguised.

On a découvert le pot aux roses= They have discovered the mystery, the secret.

Être à découvert= To be unprotected, undisguised.

DécrocherUn décrochez-moi-ça(pop.) = A reach-me-down (second-hand garment).

Décrocher

Un décrochez-moi-ça(pop.) = A reach-me-down (second-hand garment).

DedansElle est tout en dedans= She is not communicative.On l’a mis dedans(fam.) = 1. They took him in (i.e.they deceived him). 2. They ran him in (i.e.they put him in prison).[The second meaning is more often translated: “On l’a coffré.”]Comme un nigaud, j’ai donné dedans= Like a goose, I fell into the trap.Je ne sais si je suis dedans ou dehors= I do not know which side to take; I do not know whether I have made a profit or not.

Dedans

Elle est tout en dedans= She is not communicative.On l’a mis dedans(fam.) = 1. They took him in (i.e.they deceived him). 2. They ran him in (i.e.they put him in prison).[The second meaning is more often translated: “On l’a coffré.”]Comme un nigaud, j’ai donné dedans= Like a goose, I fell into the trap.Je ne sais si je suis dedans ou dehors= I do not know which side to take; I do not know whether I have made a profit or not.

Elle est tout en dedans= She is not communicative.

On l’a mis dedans(fam.) = 1. They took him in (i.e.they deceived him). 2. They ran him in (i.e.they put him in prison).

[The second meaning is more often translated: “On l’a coffré.”]

Comme un nigaud, j’ai donné dedans= Like a goose, I fell into the trap.

Je ne sais si je suis dedans ou dehors= I do not know which side to take; I do not know whether I have made a profit or not.

DéfaireIl a le visage défait= He has a pale, worn-out look.

Défaire

Il a le visage défait= He has a pale, worn-out look.

DéfaiteCette marchandise est d’une bonne défaite= These goods have a quick sale.

Défaite

Cette marchandise est d’une bonne défaite= These goods have a quick sale.

DéfautAttaquez-le au défaut de la cuirasse= Attack him on his weak point.

Défaut

Attaquez-le au défaut de la cuirasse= Attack him on his weak point.

DéfenseDéfense d’afficher= Stick no bills.Défense d’entrer= No admittance.Défense d’entrer sous peine d’amende= Trespassers will be prosecuted.

Défense

Défense d’afficher= Stick no bills.Défense d’entrer= No admittance.Défense d’entrer sous peine d’amende= Trespassers will be prosecuted.

Défense d’afficher= Stick no bills.

Défense d’entrer= No admittance.

Défense d’entrer sous peine d’amende= Trespassers will be prosecuted.

DégainerÊtre brave jusqu’au dégainer= To be brave until it come to blows.[Dégainer= to unsheathe a sword.]

Dégainer

Être brave jusqu’au dégainer= To be brave until it come to blows.[Dégainer= to unsheathe a sword.]

Être brave jusqu’au dégainer= To be brave until it come to blows.

[Dégainer= to unsheathe a sword.]

DégourdirIls auront à se dégourdir ou à déguerpir= They will either have to wake up or to clear out.Se dégourdir les jambes= To stretch one’s legs; To go out for a run.

Dégourdir

Ils auront à se dégourdir ou à déguerpir= They will either have to wake up or to clear out.Se dégourdir les jambes= To stretch one’s legs; To go out for a run.

Ils auront à se dégourdir ou à déguerpir= They will either have to wake up or to clear out.

Se dégourdir les jambes= To stretch one’s legs; To go out for a run.

DégoûterFaire le dégoûté= To be fastidious, dainty.Si j’avais la fortune de Rothschild, je serais content.—Vous n’êtes pas dégoûté!= If I had Rothschild’s fortune I should be satisfied.—I should rather think so!

Dégoûter

Faire le dégoûté= To be fastidious, dainty.Si j’avais la fortune de Rothschild, je serais content.—Vous n’êtes pas dégoûté!= If I had Rothschild’s fortune I should be satisfied.—I should rather think so!

Faire le dégoûté= To be fastidious, dainty.

Si j’avais la fortune de Rothschild, je serais content.—Vous n’êtes pas dégoûté!= If I had Rothschild’s fortune I should be satisfied.—I should rather think so!

DehorsSauver le dehors= To save appearances.Il n’a pas de dehors= His personal appearance is not prepossessing; He looks nobody.

Dehors

Sauver le dehors= To save appearances.Il n’a pas de dehors= His personal appearance is not prepossessing; He looks nobody.

Sauver le dehors= To save appearances.

Il n’a pas de dehors= His personal appearance is not prepossessing; He looks nobody.

DélitEn flagrant délit= In the very act; red-handed.[Lat.In flagrante delicto.]

Délit

En flagrant délit= In the very act; red-handed.[Lat.In flagrante delicto.]

En flagrant délit= In the very act; red-handed.

[Lat.In flagrante delicto.]

DélogerDéloger sans tambour ni trompette= To leave without beat of drum.

Déloger

Déloger sans tambour ni trompette= To leave without beat of drum.

DemainAvec lui c’est toujours demain= He always procrastinates.

Demain

Avec lui c’est toujours demain= He always procrastinates.

Demandeur*A beau demandeur beau refuseur= Diamond cut diamond.[i.e.“If you are not ashamed to ask, I am not ashamed to refuse.”]

Demandeur

*A beau demandeur beau refuseur= Diamond cut diamond.[i.e.“If you are not ashamed to ask, I am not ashamed to refuse.”]

*A beau demandeur beau refuseur= Diamond cut diamond.

[i.e.“If you are not ashamed to ask, I am not ashamed to refuse.”]

DémangerLa langue lui démange= He longs to speak; He is dying to put in a word.

Démanger

La langue lui démange= He longs to speak; He is dying to put in a word.

DenierCet homme n’a pas un denier vaillant= That man is not worth a brass farthing.Rendre compte à livres, sous et deniers= To give an account to the uttermost farthing.

Denier

Cet homme n’a pas un denier vaillant= That man is not worth a brass farthing.Rendre compte à livres, sous et deniers= To give an account to the uttermost farthing.

Cet homme n’a pas un denier vaillant= That man is not worth a brass farthing.

Rendre compte à livres, sous et deniers= To give an account to the uttermost farthing.

DentJ’ai les dents bien longues aujourd’hui= I am very hungry to-day.Je suis sur les dents= I am done up.J’ai une dent contre lui= I have a grudge against him.[Also:Je lui garde un chien de ma chienne(pop.).]Autant prendre la lune avec les dents= You might just as well try and scale the moon.Manger du bout des dents= To eat without an appetite; To eat daintily.[“Dente superbo.”—Horace,Satires, ii. 6, 87. Compare:rire du bout des dents.]Déchirer quelqu’un à belles dents= To tear a person’s reputation to shreds.[Also more forcibly:Passer quelqu’un à tabac.]

Dent

J’ai les dents bien longues aujourd’hui= I am very hungry to-day.Je suis sur les dents= I am done up.J’ai une dent contre lui= I have a grudge against him.[Also:Je lui garde un chien de ma chienne(pop.).]Autant prendre la lune avec les dents= You might just as well try and scale the moon.Manger du bout des dents= To eat without an appetite; To eat daintily.[“Dente superbo.”—Horace,Satires, ii. 6, 87. Compare:rire du bout des dents.]Déchirer quelqu’un à belles dents= To tear a person’s reputation to shreds.[Also more forcibly:Passer quelqu’un à tabac.]

J’ai les dents bien longues aujourd’hui= I am very hungry to-day.

Je suis sur les dents= I am done up.

J’ai une dent contre lui= I have a grudge against him.

[Also:Je lui garde un chien de ma chienne(pop.).]

Autant prendre la lune avec les dents= You might just as well try and scale the moon.

Manger du bout des dents= To eat without an appetite; To eat daintily.

[“Dente superbo.”—Horace,Satires, ii. 6, 87. Compare:rire du bout des dents.]

Déchirer quelqu’un à belles dents= To tear a person’s reputation to shreds.

[Also more forcibly:Passer quelqu’un à tabac.]

Dépense*Les folles dépenses refroidissent la cuisine= Wilful waste makes woeful want.

Dépense

*Les folles dépenses refroidissent la cuisine= Wilful waste makes woeful want.

DéplaireQu’il ne vous en déplaise= With your permission; By your leave; If you’ll allow me; An it please you.[Sometimes shortened to:Ne vous déplaise, as inLa Fontaine,Fables, i. 1. The sense is often ironical, and means, “whether you like it or not.”]

Déplaire

Qu’il ne vous en déplaise= With your permission; By your leave; If you’ll allow me; An it please you.[Sometimes shortened to:Ne vous déplaise, as inLa Fontaine,Fables, i. 1. The sense is often ironical, and means, “whether you like it or not.”]

Qu’il ne vous en déplaise= With your permission; By your leave; If you’ll allow me; An it please you.

[Sometimes shortened to:Ne vous déplaise, as inLa Fontaine,Fables, i. 1. The sense is often ironical, and means, “whether you like it or not.”]

DépourvuAu dépourvu= Unprepared.

Dépourvu

Au dépourvu= Unprepared.

DératéCourir comme un dératé= To go like a shot; To run like mad.[Rate=spleen. The Greeks believed that men and animals ran faster if their spleen was removed. “On sait que l’extirpation de la rate se pratiquait chez les coureurs d’antiquité pour éviter l’essoufflement.”—Couvreur,Les Merveilles du Corps humain. Comp.Pliny, xxvi. 13.]

Dératé

Courir comme un dératé= To go like a shot; To run like mad.[Rate=spleen. The Greeks believed that men and animals ran faster if their spleen was removed. “On sait que l’extirpation de la rate se pratiquait chez les coureurs d’antiquité pour éviter l’essoufflement.”—Couvreur,Les Merveilles du Corps humain. Comp.Pliny, xxvi. 13.]

Courir comme un dératé= To go like a shot; To run like mad.

[Rate=spleen. The Greeks believed that men and animals ran faster if their spleen was removed. “On sait que l’extirpation de la rate se pratiquait chez les coureurs d’antiquité pour éviter l’essoufflement.”—Couvreur,Les Merveilles du Corps humain. Comp.Pliny, xxvi. 13.]

DernierUne représentation du dernier vulgaire= A display vulgar to the last degree; A very low show.[“Ce que vous dites là est du dernier bourgeois.”Molière,Les Précieuses Ridicules, sc. 5.]

Dernier

Une représentation du dernier vulgaire= A display vulgar to the last degree; A very low show.[“Ce que vous dites là est du dernier bourgeois.”Molière,Les Précieuses Ridicules, sc. 5.]

Une représentation du dernier vulgaire= A display vulgar to the last degree; A very low show.

[“Ce que vous dites là est du dernier bourgeois.”Molière,Les Précieuses Ridicules, sc. 5.]

Désirer*Plus on désire une chose, plus elle se fait attendre= A watched pot never boils.Cela laisse à désirer= There is room for improvement.

Désirer

*Plus on désire une chose, plus elle se fait attendre= A watched pot never boils.Cela laisse à désirer= There is room for improvement.

*Plus on désire une chose, plus elle se fait attendre= A watched pot never boils.

Cela laisse à désirer= There is room for improvement.

DésorienterJe suis désorienté= 1. I am disconcerted. 2. I am out of my element; I do not feel at home; I have lost my bearings.

Désorienter

Je suis désorienté= 1. I am disconcerted. 2. I am out of my element; I do not feel at home; I have lost my bearings.

DesserrerJe n’ai pas desserré les dents= I never opened my lips.

Desserrer

Je n’ai pas desserré les dents= I never opened my lips.

DessusPar dessus le marché= Into the bargain; Over and above.Il n’y a rien au dessus de cela= That beats everything.Sens dessus dessous= All upside down; Topsy-turvy.Ils ont eu le dessus= They got the best of it.[Avoir le dessous= to get the worst of it.]Prendre le dessus= To gain the upper hand.J’en ai par dessus la tête= I am worried out of my life with it.Il le fera par dessus l’épaule= He will never do it.[Comp. “over the left,” in schoolboy slang.]Il m’a regardé par dessus l’épaule= He looked at me contemptuously.

Dessus

Par dessus le marché= Into the bargain; Over and above.Il n’y a rien au dessus de cela= That beats everything.Sens dessus dessous= All upside down; Topsy-turvy.Ils ont eu le dessus= They got the best of it.[Avoir le dessous= to get the worst of it.]Prendre le dessus= To gain the upper hand.J’en ai par dessus la tête= I am worried out of my life with it.Il le fera par dessus l’épaule= He will never do it.[Comp. “over the left,” in schoolboy slang.]Il m’a regardé par dessus l’épaule= He looked at me contemptuously.

Par dessus le marché= Into the bargain; Over and above.

Il n’y a rien au dessus de cela= That beats everything.

Sens dessus dessous= All upside down; Topsy-turvy.

Ils ont eu le dessus= They got the best of it.

[Avoir le dessous= to get the worst of it.]

Prendre le dessus= To gain the upper hand.

J’en ai par dessus la tête= I am worried out of my life with it.

Il le fera par dessus l’épaule= He will never do it.

[Comp. “over the left,” in schoolboy slang.]

Il m’a regardé par dessus l’épaule= He looked at me contemptuously.

DestinéeOn n’échappe pas à sa destinée= He that is born to be hanged will never be drowned.

Destinée

On n’échappe pas à sa destinée= He that is born to be hanged will never be drowned.

DétenteIl est dur à la détente= (fig.) He is close-fisted, a miser.

Détente

Il est dur à la détente= (fig.) He is close-fisted, a miser.

DéterrerIl a l’air d’un déterré= He looks as pale as death, as pale as a ghost.

Déterrer

Il a l’air d’un déterré= He looks as pale as death, as pale as a ghost.

DétourFaire un détour= To go a roundabout way.Il est sans détour= He is straightforward.

Détour

Faire un détour= To go a roundabout way.Il est sans détour= He is straightforward.

Faire un détour= To go a roundabout way.

Il est sans détour= He is straightforward.

DetteIl est criblé de dettes= He is head over ears in debt.[Forcribléone findsaccablé,perdu, orabîmé.]Des dettes criardes= Small debts to trades-people or workmen (who are continually asking for their money).

Dette

Il est criblé de dettes= He is head over ears in debt.[Forcribléone findsaccablé,perdu, orabîmé.]Des dettes criardes= Small debts to trades-people or workmen (who are continually asking for their money).

Il est criblé de dettes= He is head over ears in debt.

[Forcribléone findsaccablé,perdu, orabîmé.]

Des dettes criardes= Small debts to trades-people or workmen (who are continually asking for their money).

DeuilJ’en ai fait mon deuil= I have resigned myself to the loss of it.

Deuil

J’en ai fait mon deuil= I have resigned myself to the loss of it.

DeuxMaintenant, à nous deux!= Now I will settle with you; Now is the time for a private explanation; Now to business.*Deux s’amusent, trois s’embêtent(fam.) = Two’s company, three’s none.Tous les deux jours;De deux jours l’un= Every other day.Piquer des deux= To spur on one’s horse; To rush forward.

Deux

Maintenant, à nous deux!= Now I will settle with you; Now is the time for a private explanation; Now to business.*Deux s’amusent, trois s’embêtent(fam.) = Two’s company, three’s none.Tous les deux jours;De deux jours l’un= Every other day.Piquer des deux= To spur on one’s horse; To rush forward.

Maintenant, à nous deux!= Now I will settle with you; Now is the time for a private explanation; Now to business.

*Deux s’amusent, trois s’embêtent(fam.) = Two’s company, three’s none.

Tous les deux jours;De deux jours l’un= Every other day.

Piquer des deux= To spur on one’s horse; To rush forward.

Devant*Les premiers vont devant= First come, first served.Il faut prendre les devants= One must be first in the field.Allons au-devant de lui= Let us go and meet him.

Devant

*Les premiers vont devant= First come, first served.Il faut prendre les devants= One must be first in the field.Allons au-devant de lui= Let us go and meet him.

*Les premiers vont devant= First come, first served.

Il faut prendre les devants= One must be first in the field.

Allons au-devant de lui= Let us go and meet him.

DéviderMathurin dévide le jars(pop.) = Jack Tar is spinning a yarn.

Dévider

Mathurin dévide le jars(pop.) = Jack Tar is spinning a yarn.

DevoirIl doit au tiers et au quart (à Jean et à Paul)= He owes money to everybody.Il doit plus d’argent qu’il n’est gros= He owes more money than he can pay.*Qui a terme ne doit rien= No one need pay before a debt is due.*Qui ne doit rien n’a rien à craindre= Out of debt, out of danger.*A chacun son dû= Give the devil his due; Every man is worth his hire.*Fais ce que dois, advienne que pourra= Do your duty, come what may.Dussé-je en mourir= Were I to die for it.Chose convenue, chose due= A promise must be kept.

Devoir

Il doit au tiers et au quart (à Jean et à Paul)= He owes money to everybody.Il doit plus d’argent qu’il n’est gros= He owes more money than he can pay.*Qui a terme ne doit rien= No one need pay before a debt is due.*Qui ne doit rien n’a rien à craindre= Out of debt, out of danger.*A chacun son dû= Give the devil his due; Every man is worth his hire.*Fais ce que dois, advienne que pourra= Do your duty, come what may.Dussé-je en mourir= Were I to die for it.Chose convenue, chose due= A promise must be kept.

Il doit au tiers et au quart (à Jean et à Paul)= He owes money to everybody.

Il doit plus d’argent qu’il n’est gros= He owes more money than he can pay.

*Qui a terme ne doit rien= No one need pay before a debt is due.

*Qui ne doit rien n’a rien à craindre= Out of debt, out of danger.

*A chacun son dû= Give the devil his due; Every man is worth his hire.

*Fais ce que dois, advienne que pourra= Do your duty, come what may.

Dussé-je en mourir= Were I to die for it.

Chose convenue, chose due= A promise must be kept.

DévoluJ’ai jeté mon dévolu sur cela= I have fixed my choice upon that.

Dévolu

J’ai jeté mon dévolu sur cela= I have fixed my choice upon that.

DévotionIl n’est de dévotion que de jeune prêtre= Enthusiasm wears out in time; New brooms sweep clean. (SeeBalai.)

Dévotion

Il n’est de dévotion que de jeune prêtre= Enthusiasm wears out in time; New brooms sweep clean. (SeeBalai.)

DiableC’est le diable qui bat sa femme et qui marie sa fille= It is raining and the sun is shining at the same time.Tirer le diable par la queue= To be always hard up for a living.Faire le diable à quatre= To make a terrible noise; To play all sorts of tricks. (SeeQuatre.)Le diable chante la grand’messe= He hides his vices under the cloak of religion.C’est le diable à confesser= It is terribly hard to do.Il a le diable au corps= He is never still, quite unmanageable, very energetic.C’est un air de porter le diable en terre= It is an air to conjure up the devil.*Il n’est pas si diable qu’il est noir= The devil is not as black as he is painted.[Or:Le diable n’est pas si noir qu’il en a l’air.]Se démener comme un diable dans un bénitier= To rush about half-mad.Loger le diable dans sa bourse= To be penniless. (SeeBourse.)[“Et logeant le diable en sa bourse,C’est à dire, n’y logeant rien.”La Fontaine,Fables, ix. 16.]Quand le diable fut vieux il se fit ermite= The devil was sick, the devil a monk would be, The devil was well, the devil a monk was he![Compare the Italian:Passata il punto, gabbato il santo = The peril past, the saint mocked.Also: The river past and God forgotten.]Aller au diable Vauvert(corrupted intoau vert) = To go very far away, a devil of a way; To disappear.[The Carthusians having been given a large building at Gentilly by St. Louis, coveted the abandoned mansion of Vauvert (=vallon vert), which they could see from their windows. But to ask for it without a valid reason was to court refusal. So they caused it to be haunted by evil spirits, and the king was soon glad to get rid of this uncanny possession. It is needless to add that the spirits were exorcised directly the monks took possession. It stood in therue de Vauvert, beyond the Luxembourg, which was until lately called therue d’Enfer. As this was then a remote suburb of Paris, the expression was equivalent to going to the end of the town, and thus, very far off.]C’est là le diable(or,le hic) = There is the rub.Elle a la beauté du diable= All her beauty consists in her youth and freshness.Fait à la diable(i.e.à la manière du diable) = Done anyhow, in a slipshod way.

Diable

C’est le diable qui bat sa femme et qui marie sa fille= It is raining and the sun is shining at the same time.Tirer le diable par la queue= To be always hard up for a living.Faire le diable à quatre= To make a terrible noise; To play all sorts of tricks. (SeeQuatre.)Le diable chante la grand’messe= He hides his vices under the cloak of religion.C’est le diable à confesser= It is terribly hard to do.Il a le diable au corps= He is never still, quite unmanageable, very energetic.C’est un air de porter le diable en terre= It is an air to conjure up the devil.*Il n’est pas si diable qu’il est noir= The devil is not as black as he is painted.[Or:Le diable n’est pas si noir qu’il en a l’air.]Se démener comme un diable dans un bénitier= To rush about half-mad.Loger le diable dans sa bourse= To be penniless. (SeeBourse.)[“Et logeant le diable en sa bourse,C’est à dire, n’y logeant rien.”La Fontaine,Fables, ix. 16.]Quand le diable fut vieux il se fit ermite= The devil was sick, the devil a monk would be, The devil was well, the devil a monk was he![Compare the Italian:Passata il punto, gabbato il santo = The peril past, the saint mocked.Also: The river past and God forgotten.]Aller au diable Vauvert(corrupted intoau vert) = To go very far away, a devil of a way; To disappear.[The Carthusians having been given a large building at Gentilly by St. Louis, coveted the abandoned mansion of Vauvert (=vallon vert), which they could see from their windows. But to ask for it without a valid reason was to court refusal. So they caused it to be haunted by evil spirits, and the king was soon glad to get rid of this uncanny possession. It is needless to add that the spirits were exorcised directly the monks took possession. It stood in therue de Vauvert, beyond the Luxembourg, which was until lately called therue d’Enfer. As this was then a remote suburb of Paris, the expression was equivalent to going to the end of the town, and thus, very far off.]C’est là le diable(or,le hic) = There is the rub.Elle a la beauté du diable= All her beauty consists in her youth and freshness.Fait à la diable(i.e.à la manière du diable) = Done anyhow, in a slipshod way.

C’est le diable qui bat sa femme et qui marie sa fille= It is raining and the sun is shining at the same time.

Tirer le diable par la queue= To be always hard up for a living.

Faire le diable à quatre= To make a terrible noise; To play all sorts of tricks. (SeeQuatre.)

Le diable chante la grand’messe= He hides his vices under the cloak of religion.

C’est le diable à confesser= It is terribly hard to do.

Il a le diable au corps= He is never still, quite unmanageable, very energetic.

C’est un air de porter le diable en terre= It is an air to conjure up the devil.

*Il n’est pas si diable qu’il est noir= The devil is not as black as he is painted.

[Or:Le diable n’est pas si noir qu’il en a l’air.]

Se démener comme un diable dans un bénitier= To rush about half-mad.

Loger le diable dans sa bourse= To be penniless. (SeeBourse.)

[“Et logeant le diable en sa bourse,C’est à dire, n’y logeant rien.”La Fontaine,Fables, ix. 16.]

Quand le diable fut vieux il se fit ermite= The devil was sick, the devil a monk would be, The devil was well, the devil a monk was he!

[Compare the Italian:

Passata il punto, gabbato il santo = The peril past, the saint mocked.

Also: The river past and God forgotten.]

Aller au diable Vauvert(corrupted intoau vert) = To go very far away, a devil of a way; To disappear.

[The Carthusians having been given a large building at Gentilly by St. Louis, coveted the abandoned mansion of Vauvert (=vallon vert), which they could see from their windows. But to ask for it without a valid reason was to court refusal. So they caused it to be haunted by evil spirits, and the king was soon glad to get rid of this uncanny possession. It is needless to add that the spirits were exorcised directly the monks took possession. It stood in therue de Vauvert, beyond the Luxembourg, which was until lately called therue d’Enfer. As this was then a remote suburb of Paris, the expression was equivalent to going to the end of the town, and thus, very far off.]

C’est là le diable(or,le hic) = There is the rub.

Elle a la beauté du diable= All her beauty consists in her youth and freshness.

Fait à la diable(i.e.à la manière du diable) = Done anyhow, in a slipshod way.

DieuÀ Dieu ne plaise!= God forbid!Jurer ses grands dieux= To affirm vehemently; To swear by all that one holds sacred.

Dieu

À Dieu ne plaise!= God forbid!Jurer ses grands dieux= To affirm vehemently; To swear by all that one holds sacred.

À Dieu ne plaise!= God forbid!

Jurer ses grands dieux= To affirm vehemently; To swear by all that one holds sacred.

Différer*Ce qui est différé n’est pas perdu= All is not lost that is delayed.[German: Aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben.]

Différer

*Ce qui est différé n’est pas perdu= All is not lost that is delayed.[German: Aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben.]

*Ce qui est différé n’est pas perdu= All is not lost that is delayed.

[German: Aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben.]

DiligenceVoyager par la diligence d’Adam= To travel on shanks’ nag.[German: Auf Schusters Rappen.]

Diligence

Voyager par la diligence d’Adam= To travel on shanks’ nag.[German: Auf Schusters Rappen.]

Voyager par la diligence d’Adam= To travel on shanks’ nag.

[German: Auf Schusters Rappen.]

DindonC’est un franc dindon= He is a thorough goose.Être le dindon de la farce= To be the dupe.

Dindon

C’est un franc dindon= He is a thorough goose.Être le dindon de la farce= To be the dupe.

C’est un franc dindon= He is a thorough goose.

Être le dindon de la farce= To be the dupe.

DirePour tout dire= In a word.C’est tout dire= That is saying all, enough.[e.g.“Cet homme est-il honnête?”—“Je lui ai prêté 500 fr. il y a deux ans et il n’a jamais voulu me rendre un sou. C’est tout dire.”]Pour ainsi dire= So to speak.Je ne vous dis que ça= I cannot tell you any more, but it is a fact.[This can also be translated: “I can tell you!” as in “Je me suis bien amusé, je ne vous dis que ça!”]Pour mieux dire= Or rather.Je me le suis tenu pour dit= I took it for granted.Soit dit entre nous= Quite between ourselves.Cela est bon à dire, mais...= That is all very well for a speech, but...; That is all very fine, but...Il est sensible au qu’en dira-t-on= He is sensitive to public opinion; He is easily influenced by what people say about him, by what Mrs. Grundy will say.Il était dit que j’arriverais trop tard= The Fates had willed that I should come too late.Quand je vous le disais!(or,Je vous l’avais bien dit!) = I told you so!Ah! vous m’en direz tant!= 1. Well, that alters the case! 2. Ah! now I understand, why did you not say so at first? 3. There’s no going against such a reason as that.[This expression has almost as many meanings asn’est-ce pas. The above are a few of them. It is often used ironically.]A qui le dites-vous?= Am I not perfectly aware of it? Don’t I know it?Au dire de tout le monde= According to what everybody says; According to the general opinion.Je l’irai dire à Rome= It is so unlikely, that if it happens I will undertake a pilgrimage to Rome; I’ll eat my hat.[Comp.Racine,Épigramme III. Sur Andromaque.]Cela ne me dit rien= That has no effect upon me; I have no desire for it.

Dire

Pour tout dire= In a word.C’est tout dire= That is saying all, enough.[e.g.“Cet homme est-il honnête?”—“Je lui ai prêté 500 fr. il y a deux ans et il n’a jamais voulu me rendre un sou. C’est tout dire.”]Pour ainsi dire= So to speak.Je ne vous dis que ça= I cannot tell you any more, but it is a fact.[This can also be translated: “I can tell you!” as in “Je me suis bien amusé, je ne vous dis que ça!”]Pour mieux dire= Or rather.Je me le suis tenu pour dit= I took it for granted.Soit dit entre nous= Quite between ourselves.Cela est bon à dire, mais...= That is all very well for a speech, but...; That is all very fine, but...Il est sensible au qu’en dira-t-on= He is sensitive to public opinion; He is easily influenced by what people say about him, by what Mrs. Grundy will say.Il était dit que j’arriverais trop tard= The Fates had willed that I should come too late.Quand je vous le disais!(or,Je vous l’avais bien dit!) = I told you so!Ah! vous m’en direz tant!= 1. Well, that alters the case! 2. Ah! now I understand, why did you not say so at first? 3. There’s no going against such a reason as that.[This expression has almost as many meanings asn’est-ce pas. The above are a few of them. It is often used ironically.]A qui le dites-vous?= Am I not perfectly aware of it? Don’t I know it?Au dire de tout le monde= According to what everybody says; According to the general opinion.Je l’irai dire à Rome= It is so unlikely, that if it happens I will undertake a pilgrimage to Rome; I’ll eat my hat.[Comp.Racine,Épigramme III. Sur Andromaque.]Cela ne me dit rien= That has no effect upon me; I have no desire for it.

Pour tout dire= In a word.

C’est tout dire= That is saying all, enough.

[e.g.“Cet homme est-il honnête?”—“Je lui ai prêté 500 fr. il y a deux ans et il n’a jamais voulu me rendre un sou. C’est tout dire.”]

Pour ainsi dire= So to speak.

Je ne vous dis que ça= I cannot tell you any more, but it is a fact.

[This can also be translated: “I can tell you!” as in “Je me suis bien amusé, je ne vous dis que ça!”]

Pour mieux dire= Or rather.

Je me le suis tenu pour dit= I took it for granted.

Soit dit entre nous= Quite between ourselves.

Cela est bon à dire, mais...= That is all very well for a speech, but...; That is all very fine, but...

Il est sensible au qu’en dira-t-on= He is sensitive to public opinion; He is easily influenced by what people say about him, by what Mrs. Grundy will say.

Il était dit que j’arriverais trop tard= The Fates had willed that I should come too late.

Quand je vous le disais!(or,Je vous l’avais bien dit!) = I told you so!

Ah! vous m’en direz tant!= 1. Well, that alters the case! 2. Ah! now I understand, why did you not say so at first? 3. There’s no going against such a reason as that.

[This expression has almost as many meanings asn’est-ce pas. The above are a few of them. It is often used ironically.]

A qui le dites-vous?= Am I not perfectly aware of it? Don’t I know it?

Au dire de tout le monde= According to what everybody says; According to the general opinion.

Je l’irai dire à Rome= It is so unlikely, that if it happens I will undertake a pilgrimage to Rome; I’ll eat my hat.

[Comp.Racine,Épigramme III. Sur Andromaque.]

Cela ne me dit rien= That has no effect upon me; I have no desire for it.

DiscrétionOn nous donna du vin à discrétion= They gave us as much wine as we wanted (winead libitum).

Discrétion

On nous donna du vin à discrétion= They gave us as much wine as we wanted (winead libitum).

DistanceLa distance grandit tout prestige=“’Tis distance lends enchantment to the view,And robes the mountain in its azure hue.”[Campbell,Pleasures of Hope, i. 7.]

Distance

La distance grandit tout prestige=“’Tis distance lends enchantment to the view,And robes the mountain in its azure hue.”[Campbell,Pleasures of Hope, i. 7.]

DoigtJe lui ai donné sur les doigts= I rapped his knuckles (lit. and fig.).Il y met les quatre doigts et le pouce= (lit.) He eats greedily; (fig.) He acts clumsily.Ils sont comme les deux doigts de la main= They are hand and glove together, inseparable.Vous avez mis le doigt dessus= You have hit the right nail on the head; You have touched the spot.Mon petit doigt me l’a dit= A little bird told me so.Il était à deux doigts de la mort= He was at death’s door, within an ace of death.Se fourrer le doigt dans l’œil jusqu’au coude(pop.) = To deceive oneself most blindly; To put one’s foot in it.Savoir sur le bout du doigt= To know perfectly; To have at one’s finger-ends.Il lui obéit au doigt et à l’œil= He is at his beck and call.Un doigt de vin(fam.) = A toothful of wine.

Doigt

Je lui ai donné sur les doigts= I rapped his knuckles (lit. and fig.).Il y met les quatre doigts et le pouce= (lit.) He eats greedily; (fig.) He acts clumsily.Ils sont comme les deux doigts de la main= They are hand and glove together, inseparable.Vous avez mis le doigt dessus= You have hit the right nail on the head; You have touched the spot.Mon petit doigt me l’a dit= A little bird told me so.Il était à deux doigts de la mort= He was at death’s door, within an ace of death.Se fourrer le doigt dans l’œil jusqu’au coude(pop.) = To deceive oneself most blindly; To put one’s foot in it.Savoir sur le bout du doigt= To know perfectly; To have at one’s finger-ends.Il lui obéit au doigt et à l’œil= He is at his beck and call.Un doigt de vin(fam.) = A toothful of wine.

Je lui ai donné sur les doigts= I rapped his knuckles (lit. and fig.).

Il y met les quatre doigts et le pouce= (lit.) He eats greedily; (fig.) He acts clumsily.

Ils sont comme les deux doigts de la main= They are hand and glove together, inseparable.

Vous avez mis le doigt dessus= You have hit the right nail on the head; You have touched the spot.

Mon petit doigt me l’a dit= A little bird told me so.

Il était à deux doigts de la mort= He was at death’s door, within an ace of death.

Se fourrer le doigt dans l’œil jusqu’au coude(pop.) = To deceive oneself most blindly; To put one’s foot in it.

Savoir sur le bout du doigt= To know perfectly; To have at one’s finger-ends.

Il lui obéit au doigt et à l’œil= He is at his beck and call.

Un doigt de vin(fam.) = A toothful of wine.

DommageC’est dommage!= What a pity.

Dommage

C’est dommage!= What a pity.

DonnerIls lui en ont donné tout du long de l’aune= They beat him black and blue.Je vous le donne en dix= I bet you ten to one you will not guess it.*Qui donne tôt donne deux fois= He gives twice who gives in a trice.[“Bis dat qui celeriter dat.”—Publius Syrus.Cito, which is now used instead ofceleriter, appears to be a later alteration.]Le régiment a donné= The regiment has engaged.On ne lui donnerait pas quarante ans= You would not take him for forty.On t’en donnera des tabliers propres pour les salir= You ask too much.J’ai passé quinze jours à Paris et je m’en suis donné= I spent a fortnight in Paris, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.[This idiom implies movement, excitement, &c.]

Donner

Ils lui en ont donné tout du long de l’aune= They beat him black and blue.Je vous le donne en dix= I bet you ten to one you will not guess it.*Qui donne tôt donne deux fois= He gives twice who gives in a trice.[“Bis dat qui celeriter dat.”—Publius Syrus.Cito, which is now used instead ofceleriter, appears to be a later alteration.]Le régiment a donné= The regiment has engaged.On ne lui donnerait pas quarante ans= You would not take him for forty.On t’en donnera des tabliers propres pour les salir= You ask too much.J’ai passé quinze jours à Paris et je m’en suis donné= I spent a fortnight in Paris, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.[This idiom implies movement, excitement, &c.]

Ils lui en ont donné tout du long de l’aune= They beat him black and blue.

Je vous le donne en dix= I bet you ten to one you will not guess it.

*Qui donne tôt donne deux fois= He gives twice who gives in a trice.

[“Bis dat qui celeriter dat.”—Publius Syrus.Cito, which is now used instead ofceleriter, appears to be a later alteration.]

Le régiment a donné= The regiment has engaged.

On ne lui donnerait pas quarante ans= You would not take him for forty.

On t’en donnera des tabliers propres pour les salir= You ask too much.

J’ai passé quinze jours à Paris et je m’en suis donné= I spent a fortnight in Paris, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

[This idiom implies movement, excitement, &c.]

DormirDormir sur les deux oreilles= (lit.) To sleep soundly; (fig.) To have no cause for anxiety.Dormir comme une marmotte, comme un sabot, comme une souche, les(or,à)poings fermés= To sleep like a top, like a log.Dormir la grasse matinée= To lie late in bed.Il nous a dit des contes à dormir debout= He told us tedious, nonsensical tales, old wives’ tales.[“Γραῶν ὕθλος.”—Plato,Rep.350 E.“Aniles fabellae.”—Cicero.]*Qui dort dîne= Sleeping is as good as eating.*Qui a renommée de se lever matin peut dormir jusqu’à midi= A good reputation covers a multitude of sins.Dormir en gendarme= To sleep with one eye open.

Dormir

Dormir sur les deux oreilles= (lit.) To sleep soundly; (fig.) To have no cause for anxiety.Dormir comme une marmotte, comme un sabot, comme une souche, les(or,à)poings fermés= To sleep like a top, like a log.Dormir la grasse matinée= To lie late in bed.Il nous a dit des contes à dormir debout= He told us tedious, nonsensical tales, old wives’ tales.[“Γραῶν ὕθλος.”—Plato,Rep.350 E.“Aniles fabellae.”—Cicero.]*Qui dort dîne= Sleeping is as good as eating.*Qui a renommée de se lever matin peut dormir jusqu’à midi= A good reputation covers a multitude of sins.Dormir en gendarme= To sleep with one eye open.

Dormir sur les deux oreilles= (lit.) To sleep soundly; (fig.) To have no cause for anxiety.

Dormir comme une marmotte, comme un sabot, comme une souche, les(or,à)poings fermés= To sleep like a top, like a log.

Dormir la grasse matinée= To lie late in bed.

Il nous a dit des contes à dormir debout= He told us tedious, nonsensical tales, old wives’ tales.

[“Γραῶν ὕθλος.”—Plato,Rep.350 E.

“Aniles fabellae.”—Cicero.]

*Qui dort dîne= Sleeping is as good as eating.

*Qui a renommée de se lever matin peut dormir jusqu’à midi= A good reputation covers a multitude of sins.

Dormir en gendarme= To sleep with one eye open.

Dos*Il ne se laisse pas manger la laine sur le dos= He is not the man to let himself be made a fool of; He will not allow people to take the food out of his mouth; He will not tamely submit to any imposition.Le juge les a renvoyés dos à dos= The judge nonsuited them both.Il fait le gros dos= He gives himself airs.En dos d’âne= Sloping on both sides, sharp-ridged.Je me suis mis le juge à dos= I have made an enemy of the judge.J’en ai plein le dos(pop.) = I am sick and tired of it.Il a bon dos= His back is broad enough to stand a good deal.

Dos

*Il ne se laisse pas manger la laine sur le dos= He is not the man to let himself be made a fool of; He will not allow people to take the food out of his mouth; He will not tamely submit to any imposition.Le juge les a renvoyés dos à dos= The judge nonsuited them both.Il fait le gros dos= He gives himself airs.En dos d’âne= Sloping on both sides, sharp-ridged.Je me suis mis le juge à dos= I have made an enemy of the judge.J’en ai plein le dos(pop.) = I am sick and tired of it.Il a bon dos= His back is broad enough to stand a good deal.

Le juge les a renvoyés dos à dos= The judge nonsuited them both.

Il fait le gros dos= He gives himself airs.

En dos d’âne= Sloping on both sides, sharp-ridged.

Je me suis mis le juge à dos= I have made an enemy of the judge.

J’en ai plein le dos(pop.) = I am sick and tired of it.

Il a bon dos= His back is broad enough to stand a good deal.

DoubleC’est un double coquin= He is a thorough rascal.C’est un homme double= He is a double-faced man.

Double

C’est un double coquin= He is a thorough rascal.C’est un homme double= He is a double-faced man.

C’est un double coquin= He is a thorough rascal.

C’est un homme double= He is a double-faced man.

Douceur*Plus fait douceur que violence= Kindness does more than harshness; More flies are caught with honey than with vinegar.[La Fontaine,Fables, vi. 3.]Il faudra le prendre en douceur= You must tackle him gently.

Douceur

*Plus fait douceur que violence= Kindness does more than harshness; More flies are caught with honey than with vinegar.[La Fontaine,Fables, vi. 3.]Il faudra le prendre en douceur= You must tackle him gently.

*Plus fait douceur que violence= Kindness does more than harshness; More flies are caught with honey than with vinegar.

[La Fontaine,Fables, vi. 3.]

Il faudra le prendre en douceur= You must tackle him gently.

DouteCela ne fait aucun doute= There is no doubt about it.Dans le doute abstiens-toi= When in doubt, do nothing.

Doute

Cela ne fait aucun doute= There is no doubt about it.Dans le doute abstiens-toi= When in doubt, do nothing.

Cela ne fait aucun doute= There is no doubt about it.

Dans le doute abstiens-toi= When in doubt, do nothing.

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