M.

LundiFaire la Saint-LundiFêter Saint LundiFaire le Lundi}= To do no work on Monday.

Lundi

Faire la Saint-LundiFêter Saint LundiFaire le Lundi}= To do no work on Monday.

LuneFaire un trou à la lune= “To shoot the moon”; To flee from one’s creditors. (SeeCloche.)Vouloir prendre la lune avec les dents= To attempt impossibilities.[“Prendre la lune aux dents serait moins difficile.”La Fontaine,Le Roi Candaule.]

Lune

Faire un trou à la lune= “To shoot the moon”; To flee from one’s creditors. (SeeCloche.)Vouloir prendre la lune avec les dents= To attempt impossibilities.[“Prendre la lune aux dents serait moins difficile.”La Fontaine,Le Roi Candaule.]

Faire un trou à la lune= “To shoot the moon”; To flee from one’s creditors. (SeeCloche.)

Vouloir prendre la lune avec les dents= To attempt impossibilities.

[“Prendre la lune aux dents serait moins difficile.”La Fontaine,Le Roi Candaule.]

MâcherJe ne lui ai pas mâché la chose= I did not mince matters with him.Je lui ai donné sa besogne toute mâchée= I gave him his work all ready cut out; I made his work as easy as possible for him.

Mâcher

Je ne lui ai pas mâché la chose= I did not mince matters with him.Je lui ai donné sa besogne toute mâchée= I gave him his work all ready cut out; I made his work as easy as possible for him.

Je ne lui ai pas mâché la chose= I did not mince matters with him.

Je lui ai donné sa besogne toute mâchée= I gave him his work all ready cut out; I made his work as easy as possible for him.

MadameElle fait la Madame= She gives herself airs (of little girls).

Madame

Elle fait la Madame= She gives herself airs (of little girls).

MaiMi-mai, queue d’hiver= The middle of May has usually three cold days (calledLes saints de glace, May 11, 12, and 13).

Mai

Mi-mai, queue d’hiver= The middle of May has usually three cold days (calledLes saints de glace, May 11, 12, and 13).

MaigreFaire maigre= To abstain from meat.Faire maigre chère= To have poor fare.Maigre comme un clou= As thin as a lath.

Maigre

Faire maigre= To abstain from meat.Faire maigre chère= To have poor fare.Maigre comme un clou= As thin as a lath.

Faire maigre= To abstain from meat.

Faire maigre chère= To have poor fare.

Maigre comme un clou= As thin as a lath.

MailleIl n’a ni sou ni maille= He has not got a rap, a brass farthing.Avoir maille à partir avec quelqu’un= To have a bone to pick (a crow to pluck) with some one.[Maille(= mite) was the smallest coin in France, and therefore could not be divided. Hence the saying means to have a quarrel with some one. Notice the old meaning ofpartirin this idiom = to divide (Lat.partiri).]Maille à maille se fait l’haubergeon= Many a little makes a mickle. (SeeGoutteandPetit.)

Maille

Il n’a ni sou ni maille= He has not got a rap, a brass farthing.Avoir maille à partir avec quelqu’un= To have a bone to pick (a crow to pluck) with some one.[Maille(= mite) was the smallest coin in France, and therefore could not be divided. Hence the saying means to have a quarrel with some one. Notice the old meaning ofpartirin this idiom = to divide (Lat.partiri).]Maille à maille se fait l’haubergeon= Many a little makes a mickle. (SeeGoutteandPetit.)

Il n’a ni sou ni maille= He has not got a rap, a brass farthing.

Avoir maille à partir avec quelqu’un= To have a bone to pick (a crow to pluck) with some one.

[Maille(= mite) was the smallest coin in France, and therefore could not be divided. Hence the saying means to have a quarrel with some one. Notice the old meaning ofpartirin this idiom = to divide (Lat.partiri).]

Maille à maille se fait l’haubergeon= Many a little makes a mickle. (SeeGoutteandPetit.)

MainDonnez-moi une poignée de main= Shake hands with me.Donnez-moi un coup de main= Give me a helping hand.Vous n’y allez pas de main morte= You hit with a vengeance; You don’t do things by halves.Avoir un poil dans la main= To be very lazy (so that hair grows on the palm of the hand).Avoir la main heureuse= To be lucky at cards (or, at other things).Avoir la main rompue à quelque chose= To be well versed at something.Je le connais de longue main= I have known him for a long time.Il disparut en un tour de main= He disappeared in an instant, in a twinkling.Il a une chambre grande comme la main= He has a room not big enough to swing a cat in.En venir aux mains= To come to blows.Bas les mains= Hands off.Les deux armées en sont aux mains= The two armies are in close combat, have come to close quarters.Je me perds la main= I am getting rusty.Je tirais au pistolet pour me faire la main= I practised pistol-shooting to get my hand in.Il y a mis la dernière main= He put the finishing touch to it.Il a fait cela haut la main= He did it with the greatest ease.Mettre la main à la pâte= To put one’s shoulder to the wheel; To set to (a special piece of) work oneself.Les voleurs firent main basse sur tous mes effets= The thieves laid hands on all my things.Pour cela je vous baise les mains= As for that I will not do it; “No, thank you!”J’en mettrais la main au feu= I would swear to it; I would stake my life on it; I would take my dying oath about it.[A reference to trial by ordeal.]

Main

Donnez-moi une poignée de main= Shake hands with me.Donnez-moi un coup de main= Give me a helping hand.Vous n’y allez pas de main morte= You hit with a vengeance; You don’t do things by halves.Avoir un poil dans la main= To be very lazy (so that hair grows on the palm of the hand).Avoir la main heureuse= To be lucky at cards (or, at other things).Avoir la main rompue à quelque chose= To be well versed at something.Je le connais de longue main= I have known him for a long time.Il disparut en un tour de main= He disappeared in an instant, in a twinkling.Il a une chambre grande comme la main= He has a room not big enough to swing a cat in.En venir aux mains= To come to blows.Bas les mains= Hands off.Les deux armées en sont aux mains= The two armies are in close combat, have come to close quarters.Je me perds la main= I am getting rusty.Je tirais au pistolet pour me faire la main= I practised pistol-shooting to get my hand in.Il y a mis la dernière main= He put the finishing touch to it.Il a fait cela haut la main= He did it with the greatest ease.Mettre la main à la pâte= To put one’s shoulder to the wheel; To set to (a special piece of) work oneself.Les voleurs firent main basse sur tous mes effets= The thieves laid hands on all my things.Pour cela je vous baise les mains= As for that I will not do it; “No, thank you!”J’en mettrais la main au feu= I would swear to it; I would stake my life on it; I would take my dying oath about it.[A reference to trial by ordeal.]

Donnez-moi une poignée de main= Shake hands with me.

Donnez-moi un coup de main= Give me a helping hand.

Vous n’y allez pas de main morte= You hit with a vengeance; You don’t do things by halves.

Avoir un poil dans la main= To be very lazy (so that hair grows on the palm of the hand).

Avoir la main heureuse= To be lucky at cards (or, at other things).

Avoir la main rompue à quelque chose= To be well versed at something.

Je le connais de longue main= I have known him for a long time.

Il disparut en un tour de main= He disappeared in an instant, in a twinkling.

Il a une chambre grande comme la main= He has a room not big enough to swing a cat in.

En venir aux mains= To come to blows.

Bas les mains= Hands off.

Les deux armées en sont aux mains= The two armies are in close combat, have come to close quarters.

Je me perds la main= I am getting rusty.

Je tirais au pistolet pour me faire la main= I practised pistol-shooting to get my hand in.

Il y a mis la dernière main= He put the finishing touch to it.

Il a fait cela haut la main= He did it with the greatest ease.

Mettre la main à la pâte= To put one’s shoulder to the wheel; To set to (a special piece of) work oneself.

Les voleurs firent main basse sur tous mes effets= The thieves laid hands on all my things.

Pour cela je vous baise les mains= As for that I will not do it; “No, thank you!”

J’en mettrais la main au feu= I would swear to it; I would stake my life on it; I would take my dying oath about it.

[A reference to trial by ordeal.]

MaisJe n’en peux mais!= I cannot help it![Maisis here an adverb, and shows its derivation from the Latinmagis. The phrase literally means: “I can do no more.”]

Mais

Je n’en peux mais!= I cannot help it![Maisis here an adverb, and shows its derivation from the Latinmagis. The phrase literally means: “I can do no more.”]

Je n’en peux mais!= I cannot help it!

[Maisis here an adverb, and shows its derivation from the Latinmagis. The phrase literally means: “I can do no more.”]

MaisonFaire maison neuve(or,nette) = To change all one’s servants.Il fait des demandes par dessus les maisons= He makes most unreasonable demands.

Maison

Faire maison neuve(or,nette) = To change all one’s servants.Il fait des demandes par dessus les maisons= He makes most unreasonable demands.

Faire maison neuve(or,nette) = To change all one’s servants.

Il fait des demandes par dessus les maisons= He makes most unreasonable demands.

Maître*Tel maître, tel valet= Like master, like man.[Or:Tel couteau, tel fourreau.German:Wie der Herr, so der Knecht.]C’est une maîtresse femme= She is a superior woman.[One who manages her business or subordinates capably, makes her servants obey her and do their work well, and is respected by them.]

Maître

*Tel maître, tel valet= Like master, like man.[Or:Tel couteau, tel fourreau.German:Wie der Herr, so der Knecht.]C’est une maîtresse femme= She is a superior woman.[One who manages her business or subordinates capably, makes her servants obey her and do their work well, and is respected by them.]

*Tel maître, tel valet= Like master, like man.

[Or:Tel couteau, tel fourreau.

German:Wie der Herr, so der Knecht.]

C’est une maîtresse femme= She is a superior woman.

[One who manages her business or subordinates capably, makes her servants obey her and do their work well, and is respected by them.]

Mal*À qui mal veut, mal arrive= Harm watch, harm catch; Curses, like chickens, come home to roost.[This proverb is said to be of Turkish origin. The Spanish equivalent is: “Who sows thorns, let him not walk barefoot.” Comp.Psalmscix. 17.]J’ai mal au cœur= I feel sick.Vous prenez tout en mal= You put a wrong construction on everything.Elle s’est trouvée mal= She fainted.Elle est au plus mal= She is past recovery.Sa sœur aînée n’est pas mal= Her elder sister is not bad-looking.*Aux grands maux les grands remèdes= Desperate diseases require desperate remedies.

Mal

*À qui mal veut, mal arrive= Harm watch, harm catch; Curses, like chickens, come home to roost.[This proverb is said to be of Turkish origin. The Spanish equivalent is: “Who sows thorns, let him not walk barefoot.” Comp.Psalmscix. 17.]J’ai mal au cœur= I feel sick.Vous prenez tout en mal= You put a wrong construction on everything.Elle s’est trouvée mal= She fainted.Elle est au plus mal= She is past recovery.Sa sœur aînée n’est pas mal= Her elder sister is not bad-looking.*Aux grands maux les grands remèdes= Desperate diseases require desperate remedies.

*À qui mal veut, mal arrive= Harm watch, harm catch; Curses, like chickens, come home to roost.

[This proverb is said to be of Turkish origin. The Spanish equivalent is: “Who sows thorns, let him not walk barefoot.” Comp.Psalmscix. 17.]

J’ai mal au cœur= I feel sick.

Vous prenez tout en mal= You put a wrong construction on everything.

Elle s’est trouvée mal= She fainted.

Elle est au plus mal= She is past recovery.

Sa sœur aînée n’est pas mal= Her elder sister is not bad-looking.

*Aux grands maux les grands remèdes= Desperate diseases require desperate remedies.

Malheur*À quelque chose malheur est bon= It is an ill wind that blows no one any good.[“À quelque chose sert le malheur.”Montaigne,Essais, ii. 17.]Pour surcroît(or,comble)de malheur il tomba malade= To crown his misfortunes he fell ill.*Un malheur ne vient jamais seul= Misfortunes never come singly; It never rains but it pours.[Ital.Benedetto è quel male, che vien solo= Blessed is that misfortune which comes alone.]Il n’est qu’heur et malheur= That’s the way of the world.

Malheur

*À quelque chose malheur est bon= It is an ill wind that blows no one any good.[“À quelque chose sert le malheur.”Montaigne,Essais, ii. 17.]Pour surcroît(or,comble)de malheur il tomba malade= To crown his misfortunes he fell ill.*Un malheur ne vient jamais seul= Misfortunes never come singly; It never rains but it pours.[Ital.Benedetto è quel male, che vien solo= Blessed is that misfortune which comes alone.]Il n’est qu’heur et malheur= That’s the way of the world.

*À quelque chose malheur est bon= It is an ill wind that blows no one any good.

[“À quelque chose sert le malheur.”Montaigne,Essais, ii. 17.]

Pour surcroît(or,comble)de malheur il tomba malade= To crown his misfortunes he fell ill.

*Un malheur ne vient jamais seul= Misfortunes never come singly; It never rains but it pours.

[Ital.Benedetto è quel male, che vien solo= Blessed is that misfortune which comes alone.]

Il n’est qu’heur et malheur= That’s the way of the world.

ManantC’est un manant= He is a coarse, ill-educated boor.[Frommanens= one remaining fixed to the soil, a villein, serf.]

Manant

C’est un manant= He is a coarse, ill-educated boor.[Frommanens= one remaining fixed to the soil, a villein, serf.]

C’est un manant= He is a coarse, ill-educated boor.

[Frommanens= one remaining fixed to the soil, a villein, serf.]

Manche (m.)Il branle dans le manche(or,au manche) = He is no longer firmly established in his post; He is irresolute.*Jeter le manche après la cognée= To throw the rope after the bucket; To give up in despair.

Manche (m.)

Il branle dans le manche(or,au manche) = He is no longer firmly established in his post; He is irresolute.*Jeter le manche après la cognée= To throw the rope after the bucket; To give up in despair.

Il branle dans le manche(or,au manche) = He is no longer firmly established in his post; He is irresolute.

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

Manche (f.)Je ne me ferai pas tirer par la manche= I shall not require much pressing.C’est une autre paire de manches= That is quite another thing; That is a horse of another colour, another pair of shoes.J’ai gagné la première manche= I won the first game (out of two or more).Je l’ai dans ma manche= I have him at my disposal.

Manche (f.)

Je ne me ferai pas tirer par la manche= I shall not require much pressing.C’est une autre paire de manches= That is quite another thing; That is a horse of another colour, another pair of shoes.J’ai gagné la première manche= I won the first game (out of two or more).Je l’ai dans ma manche= I have him at my disposal.

Je ne me ferai pas tirer par la manche= I shall not require much pressing.

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

J’ai gagné la première manche= I won the first game (out of two or more).

Je l’ai dans ma manche= I have him at my disposal.

MangerIl mange comme quatre= He eats like an ogre.Il a mangé son pain blanc le premier= He had the happiest part of his life first. (SeePain.)Manger son blé en herbe= To anticipate one’s revenue.Il a mangé de la vache enragée= He has suffered many privations.Il est très inquiet, il en perd le boire et le manger= He is very anxious, he has lost his appetite.

Manger

Il mange comme quatre= He eats like an ogre.Il a mangé son pain blanc le premier= He had the happiest part of his life first. (SeePain.)Manger son blé en herbe= To anticipate one’s revenue.Il a mangé de la vache enragée= He has suffered many privations.Il est très inquiet, il en perd le boire et le manger= He is very anxious, he has lost his appetite.

Il mange comme quatre= He eats like an ogre.

Il a mangé son pain blanc le premier= He had the happiest part of his life first. (SeePain.)

Manger son blé en herbe= To anticipate one’s revenue.

Il a mangé de la vache enragée= He has suffered many privations.

Il est très inquiet, il en perd le boire et le manger= He is very anxious, he has lost his appetite.

ManièreJe l’ai rossé de la belle manière(fam.) = I gave him a sound thrashing.

Manière

Je l’ai rossé de la belle manière(fam.) = I gave him a sound thrashing.

ManquerVous me manquez= I miss you.Je vous manque= You miss me.Il a manqué d’être pris= He was nearly caught.C’est un avocat manqué= He is a would-be barrister; He is a failure as a barrister.C’est un garçon manqué= She is a tomboy.Ce serait manquer d’usage= That would be a breach of good manners.Il ne manquait plus que cela!= That crowns all! That is the last straw!

Manquer

Vous me manquez= I miss you.Je vous manque= You miss me.Il a manqué d’être pris= He was nearly caught.C’est un avocat manqué= He is a would-be barrister; He is a failure as a barrister.C’est un garçon manqué= She is a tomboy.Ce serait manquer d’usage= That would be a breach of good manners.Il ne manquait plus que cela!= That crowns all! That is the last straw!

Vous me manquez= I miss you.

Je vous manque= You miss me.

Il a manqué d’être pris= He was nearly caught.

C’est un avocat manqué= He is a would-be barrister; He is a failure as a barrister.

C’est un garçon manqué= She is a tomboy.

Ce serait manquer d’usage= That would be a breach of good manners.

Il ne manquait plus que cela!= That crowns all! That is the last straw!

MarchandC’est un marchand de soupe= He is a regular Squeers.[This is said of a private schoolmaster who, far from regarding his profession as an honourable one, follows it solely with a view to profit, by having few and inferior assistants and by feeding his pupils cheaply and badly (thus making a profit on thesoup). He looks upon teaching as the least important part of his work. Of course, this race of men is now entirely extinct.]

Marchand

C’est un marchand de soupe= He is a regular Squeers.[This is said of a private schoolmaster who, far from regarding his profession as an honourable one, follows it solely with a view to profit, by having few and inferior assistants and by feeding his pupils cheaply and badly (thus making a profit on thesoup). He looks upon teaching as the least important part of his work. Of course, this race of men is now entirely extinct.]

C’est un marchand de soupe= He is a regular Squeers.

[This is said of a private schoolmaster who, far from regarding his profession as an honourable one, follows it solely with a view to profit, by having few and inferior assistants and by feeding his pupils cheaply and badly (thus making a profit on thesoup). He looks upon teaching as the least important part of his work. Of course, this race of men is now entirely extinct.]

MarchéPar dessus le marché= Into the bargain; Over and above.Il m’a mis le marché à la main= He told me I could take it or leave it; He made me decide one way or the other.Est-ce marché fait?= Is it a bargain?Vous en êtes quitte à bon marché= You came off cheaply.Vous aurez bon marché de lui= You will easily get the better of him.Je fais bon marché de cela= I hold that very cheap.On n’a jamais bon marché d’une mauvaise marchandise= A bad thing is dear at any price; The best is the cheapest in the end.

Marché

Par dessus le marché= Into the bargain; Over and above.Il m’a mis le marché à la main= He told me I could take it or leave it; He made me decide one way or the other.Est-ce marché fait?= Is it a bargain?Vous en êtes quitte à bon marché= You came off cheaply.Vous aurez bon marché de lui= You will easily get the better of him.Je fais bon marché de cela= I hold that very cheap.On n’a jamais bon marché d’une mauvaise marchandise= A bad thing is dear at any price; The best is the cheapest in the end.

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

Il m’a mis le marché à la main= He told me I could take it or leave it; He made me decide one way or the other.

Est-ce marché fait?= Is it a bargain?

Vous en êtes quitte à bon marché= You came off cheaply.

Vous aurez bon marché de lui= You will easily get the better of him.

Je fais bon marché de cela= I hold that very cheap.

On n’a jamais bon marché d’une mauvaise marchandise= A bad thing is dear at any price; The best is the cheapest in the end.

Marée*Ce qui vient de flot s’en retourne de marée= Fortune is as quick in going as in coming. (SeeFlûte.)

Marée

*Ce qui vient de flot s’en retourne de marée= Fortune is as quick in going as in coming. (SeeFlûte.)

MariéeIl se plaint que la mariée est trop belle= He complains that he has got too good a bargain.

Mariée

Il se plaint que la mariée est trop belle= He complains that he has got too good a bargain.

MarmiteFaire bouillir la marmite= To keep the pot boiling.

Marmite

Faire bouillir la marmite= To keep the pot boiling.

MarotteChacun a sa marotte= Every one has his hobby.[Marotte is a kind of sceptre or rattle with a head on the end, furnished with bells, which jesters carry.]

Marotte

Chacun a sa marotte= Every one has his hobby.[Marotte is a kind of sceptre or rattle with a head on the end, furnished with bells, which jesters carry.]

Chacun a sa marotte= Every one has his hobby.

[Marotte is a kind of sceptre or rattle with a head on the end, furnished with bells, which jesters carry.]

Mars*Mars venteux et Avril pluvieuxFont le Mai gai et gracieux=March winds and April showersMake way for May flowers.

Mars

*Mars venteux et Avril pluvieuxFont le Mai gai et gracieux=March winds and April showersMake way for May flowers.

Marteau*Mieux vaut être marteau qu’enclume= Better be striker than struck.Être entre l’enclume et le marteau= To be in a dilemma; To be between the devil and the deep sea.Graisser le marteau= To tip the porter.[There is the same idea in “Palm oil.”]

Marteau

*Mieux vaut être marteau qu’enclume= Better be striker than struck.Être entre l’enclume et le marteau= To be in a dilemma; To be between the devil and the deep sea.Graisser le marteau= To tip the porter.[There is the same idea in “Palm oil.”]

*Mieux vaut être marteau qu’enclume= Better be striker than struck.

Être entre l’enclume et le marteau= To be in a dilemma; To be between the devil and the deep sea.

Graisser le marteau= To tip the porter.

[There is the same idea in “Palm oil.”]

MartelIl s’est mis martel en tête= He made himself very uneasy.

Martel

Il s’est mis martel en tête= He made himself very uneasy.

MassacrerIl est d’une humeur massacrante= He is as cross as two sticks.

Massacrer

Il est d’une humeur massacrante= He is as cross as two sticks.

MatièreIl est bien enfoncé dans la matière= He is very coarse, very prosaic.La table des matières= The table of contents (of a book).

Matière

Il est bien enfoncé dans la matière= He is very coarse, very prosaic.La table des matières= The table of contents (of a book).

Il est bien enfoncé dans la matière= He is very coarse, very prosaic.

La table des matières= The table of contents (of a book).

MatinIl partira un de ces quatre matins= He will start one of these fine days.

Matin

Il partira un de ces quatre matins= He will start one of these fine days.

MaureTraiter quelqu’un de Turc à Maure= To treat a person brutally.[As the Turks treated the Moors when they conquered the north of Africa. SeeMolière,Précieuses Ridicules, 10.]*À laver la tête d’un Maure(or,d’un âne, or,d’un nègre)on y perd sa lessive= To endeavour to teach a fool is a waste of time.

Maure

Traiter quelqu’un de Turc à Maure= To treat a person brutally.[As the Turks treated the Moors when they conquered the north of Africa. SeeMolière,Précieuses Ridicules, 10.]*À laver la tête d’un Maure(or,d’un âne, or,d’un nègre)on y perd sa lessive= To endeavour to teach a fool is a waste of time.

Traiter quelqu’un de Turc à Maure= To treat a person brutally.

[As the Turks treated the Moors when they conquered the north of Africa. SeeMolière,Précieuses Ridicules, 10.]

*À laver la tête d’un Maure(or,d’un âne, or,d’un nègre)on y perd sa lessive= To endeavour to teach a fool is a waste of time.

MècheIl a éventé(or,vendu)la mèche= He has let the cat out of the bag; He has blown the gaff.Il n’y a pas mèche(pop.) = “It’s no go”; There is no doing it.

Mèche

Il a éventé(or,vendu)la mèche= He has let the cat out of the bag; He has blown the gaff.Il n’y a pas mèche(pop.) = “It’s no go”; There is no doing it.

Il a éventé(or,vendu)la mèche= He has let the cat out of the bag; He has blown the gaff.

Il n’y a pas mèche(pop.) = “It’s no go”; There is no doing it.

MédailleC’est le revers de la médaille= That is the dark side of the picture.

Médaille

C’est le revers de la médaille= That is the dark side of the picture.

MédardS’il pleut le jour de St. Médard,Il pleut quarante jours plus tard.S’il pleut le jour de St. Gervais,Il pleut quarante jours après=“St Swithin’s day, gif ye do rainFor forty days will it remain.”[Le jour de St. Médard = June 8.Le jour de St. Gervais = June 19.St. Swithin’s Day = July 15.]

Médard

S’il pleut le jour de St. Médard,Il pleut quarante jours plus tard.S’il pleut le jour de St. Gervais,Il pleut quarante jours après=“St Swithin’s day, gif ye do rainFor forty days will it remain.”[Le jour de St. Médard = June 8.Le jour de St. Gervais = June 19.St. Swithin’s Day = July 15.]

[Le jour de St. Médard = June 8.Le jour de St. Gervais = June 19.St. Swithin’s Day = July 15.]

MédecinVoilà trois médecins qui ne vous trompent pas:Gaîté, doux exercice et modeste repas=The best physicians are Dr. Diet, Dr. Quiet, and Dr. Merriman.

Médecin

Voilà trois médecins qui ne vous trompent pas:Gaîté, doux exercice et modeste repas=The best physicians are Dr. Diet, Dr. Quiet, and Dr. Merriman.

Méfiance*La méfiance est mère de la sûreté= Safe bind, safe find.[La Fontaine,Fables, iii. 18.]

Méfiance

*La méfiance est mère de la sûreté= Safe bind, safe find.[La Fontaine,Fables, iii. 18.]

*La méfiance est mère de la sûreté= Safe bind, safe find.

[La Fontaine,Fables, iii. 18.]

MêmeIl buvait à même la bouteille= He was drinking out of the bottle itself.[This is an inversion forà la bouteille même.Boire à mêmeis not usually used of cups or glasses, but of bottles, jugs, streams, etc. For it implies that the containing vessel itself is being used to drink out of, and not any smaller vessel. Thusboire à même le verrewould suggest that a spoon or smaller receptacle was not used.]Il est à même de vous comprendre= He is able to understand you.Cela revient au même= That comes to the same thing.C’est cela même= That is the very thing.Faites de même= Do the same.

Même

Il buvait à même la bouteille= He was drinking out of the bottle itself.[This is an inversion forà la bouteille même.Boire à mêmeis not usually used of cups or glasses, but of bottles, jugs, streams, etc. For it implies that the containing vessel itself is being used to drink out of, and not any smaller vessel. Thusboire à même le verrewould suggest that a spoon or smaller receptacle was not used.]Il est à même de vous comprendre= He is able to understand you.Cela revient au même= That comes to the same thing.C’est cela même= That is the very thing.Faites de même= Do the same.

Il buvait à même la bouteille= He was drinking out of the bottle itself.

[This is an inversion forà la bouteille même.Boire à mêmeis not usually used of cups or glasses, but of bottles, jugs, streams, etc. For it implies that the containing vessel itself is being used to drink out of, and not any smaller vessel. Thusboire à même le verrewould suggest that a spoon or smaller receptacle was not used.]

Il est à même de vous comprendre= He is able to understand you.

Cela revient au même= That comes to the same thing.

C’est cela même= That is the very thing.

Faites de même= Do the same.

MénageIls font bon ménage= They live happily together.Elle fait le ménage= She is doing her housework.

Ménage

Ils font bon ménage= They live happily together.Elle fait le ménage= She is doing her housework.

Ils font bon ménage= They live happily together.

Elle fait le ménage= She is doing her housework.

Ménager*Qui veut voyager loin ménage sa monture= Who wishes to go far spares his horse; He who wishes to live long avoids excess.[Racine,Plaideurs, i. 1.]

Ménager

*Qui veut voyager loin ménage sa monture= Who wishes to go far spares his horse; He who wishes to live long avoids excess.[Racine,Plaideurs, i. 1.]

*Qui veut voyager loin ménage sa monture= Who wishes to go far spares his horse; He who wishes to live long avoids excess.

[Racine,Plaideurs, i. 1.]

Mentir*A beau mentir gui vient de loin= A traveller may lie with impunity; Travellers tell fine tales.Quasi et presque empêchent les gens de mentir= Almost and very nigh save many a lie.

Mentir

*A beau mentir gui vient de loin= A traveller may lie with impunity; Travellers tell fine tales.Quasi et presque empêchent les gens de mentir= Almost and very nigh save many a lie.

*A beau mentir gui vient de loin= A traveller may lie with impunity; Travellers tell fine tales.

Quasi et presque empêchent les gens de mentir= Almost and very nigh save many a lie.

MéprendreQuébec, c’est Saint-Malo à s’y méprendre(Max O’Rell) = You could easily mistake Quebec for St. Malo.

Méprendre

Québec, c’est Saint-Malo à s’y méprendre(Max O’Rell) = You could easily mistake Quebec for St. Malo.

Mer*Ce n’est pas la mer à boire= It is not an impossibility; It is not so very difficult after all.*Porter de l’eau à la mer= To carry coals to Newcastle.

Mer

*Ce n’est pas la mer à boire= It is not an impossibility; It is not so very difficult after all.*Porter de l’eau à la mer= To carry coals to Newcastle.

*Ce n’est pas la mer à boire= It is not an impossibility; It is not so very difficult after all.

*Porter de l’eau à la mer= To carry coals to Newcastle.

MériteRemplir son mérite= To act up to one’s reputation.

Mérite

Remplir son mérite= To act up to one’s reputation.

Merle*On ne prend pas les vieux merles à la pipée= Old birds are not to be caught with chaff.

Merle

*On ne prend pas les vieux merles à la pipée= Old birds are not to be caught with chaff.

MerveilleIl se porte à merveille= He is in splendid health.

Merveille

Il se porte à merveille= He is in splendid health.

Messe*Près du moûtier, à messe le dernier= The nearer the church, the farther from God.

Messe

*Près du moûtier, à messe le dernier= The nearer the church, the farther from God.

MétierIl nous a servi un plat de son métier(or,de sa façon) = He played us one of his tricks.*“À chacun son métier et les vaches seront bien gardées” (Florian,Fables, i. 12) = Let the cobbler stick to his last.[“Ne sutor ultra crepidam” (judicet).]

Métier

Il nous a servi un plat de son métier(or,de sa façon) = He played us one of his tricks.*“À chacun son métier et les vaches seront bien gardées” (Florian,Fables, i. 12) = Let the cobbler stick to his last.[“Ne sutor ultra crepidam” (judicet).]

Il nous a servi un plat de son métier(or,de sa façon) = He played us one of his tricks.

*“À chacun son métier et les vaches seront bien gardées” (Florian,Fables, i. 12) = Let the cobbler stick to his last.

[“Ne sutor ultra crepidam” (judicet).]

MettreMettez cent francs= Make it £4.Il se mettrait en quatre pour ses amis= He would do anything for his friends.Il se met bien= He dresses well.On veut nous mettre dedans(fam.) = They want to entrap us, to take us in.

Mettre

Mettez cent francs= Make it £4.Il se mettrait en quatre pour ses amis= He would do anything for his friends.Il se met bien= He dresses well.On veut nous mettre dedans(fam.) = They want to entrap us, to take us in.

Mettez cent francs= Make it £4.

Il se mettrait en quatre pour ses amis= He would do anything for his friends.

Il se met bien= He dresses well.

On veut nous mettre dedans(fam.) = They want to entrap us, to take us in.

MidiChercher midi à quatorze heures= To make (or, seek) difficulties where there are none; To look for grapes on thorns.[This expression has its origin in the old custom, still in use in some parts of Italy, of reckoning the hours of the day consecutively from 1 to 24, beginning at sunset. Hence, noon may vary from the 16th to the 20th hour, but is never the 14th. Voltaire’s epigram for a sun-dial is very well known, but may bear repetition:—“Vous qui vivez dans ces demeures,Êtes-vous bien? tenez-vous y,Et n’allez pas chercher midiÀ quatorze heures.”]Chacun connaît midi à sa porte= Each one knows his own business best.

Midi

Chercher midi à quatorze heures= To make (or, seek) difficulties where there are none; To look for grapes on thorns.[This expression has its origin in the old custom, still in use in some parts of Italy, of reckoning the hours of the day consecutively from 1 to 24, beginning at sunset. Hence, noon may vary from the 16th to the 20th hour, but is never the 14th. Voltaire’s epigram for a sun-dial is very well known, but may bear repetition:—“Vous qui vivez dans ces demeures,Êtes-vous bien? tenez-vous y,Et n’allez pas chercher midiÀ quatorze heures.”]Chacun connaît midi à sa porte= Each one knows his own business best.

Chercher midi à quatorze heures= To make (or, seek) difficulties where there are none; To look for grapes on thorns.

[This expression has its origin in the old custom, still in use in some parts of Italy, of reckoning the hours of the day consecutively from 1 to 24, beginning at sunset. Hence, noon may vary from the 16th to the 20th hour, but is never the 14th. Voltaire’s epigram for a sun-dial is very well known, but may bear repetition:—“Vous qui vivez dans ces demeures,Êtes-vous bien? tenez-vous y,Et n’allez pas chercher midiÀ quatorze heures.”]

Chacun connaît midi à sa porte= Each one knows his own business best.

MienJ’y ai mis du mien, mettez-y du vôtre= I have given way a bit, meet me half-way; I have done my share at it, now it’s your turn.

Mien

J’y ai mis du mien, mettez-y du vôtre= I have given way a bit, meet me half-way; I have done my share at it, now it’s your turn.

Mieux*Le mieux est l’ennemi du bien= Leave well alone.Ils criaient à qui mieux mieux= Each was trying to shout louder than the other; Each tried to drown the others’ voices.Je ne demande pas mieux= Nothing would give me greater pleasure.Elle est mieux que sa sœur= She is prettier than her sister.Faute de mieux= For want of something better.Tant mieux= So much the better.Il est au mieux avec son médecin= He is on the best terms with his doctor.On ne peut mieux= As well as possible; It could not be better.Vous arrivez on ne peut mieux= You could not have come at a more opportune moment.

Mieux

*Le mieux est l’ennemi du bien= Leave well alone.Ils criaient à qui mieux mieux= Each was trying to shout louder than the other; Each tried to drown the others’ voices.Je ne demande pas mieux= Nothing would give me greater pleasure.Elle est mieux que sa sœur= She is prettier than her sister.Faute de mieux= For want of something better.Tant mieux= So much the better.Il est au mieux avec son médecin= He is on the best terms with his doctor.On ne peut mieux= As well as possible; It could not be better.Vous arrivez on ne peut mieux= You could not have come at a more opportune moment.

*Le mieux est l’ennemi du bien= Leave well alone.

Ils criaient à qui mieux mieux= Each was trying to shout louder than the other; Each tried to drown the others’ voices.

Je ne demande pas mieux= Nothing would give me greater pleasure.

Elle est mieux que sa sœur= She is prettier than her sister.

Faute de mieux= For want of something better.

Tant mieux= So much the better.

Il est au mieux avec son médecin= He is on the best terms with his doctor.

On ne peut mieux= As well as possible; It could not be better.

Vous arrivez on ne peut mieux= You could not have come at a more opportune moment.

MilieuLe juste milieu= The golden mean.Au beau milieu= In the very midst.Vertu gît au milieu= Do not rush into extremes.[In medio tutissimus ibis =Allez par le milieu et vous ne tomberez pas.Compare the English: When slovenly girls get tidy, they polish the bottoms of saucepans.]

Milieu

Le juste milieu= The golden mean.Au beau milieu= In the very midst.Vertu gît au milieu= Do not rush into extremes.[In medio tutissimus ibis =Allez par le milieu et vous ne tomberez pas.Compare the English: When slovenly girls get tidy, they polish the bottoms of saucepans.]

Le juste milieu= The golden mean.

Au beau milieu= In the very midst.

Vertu gît au milieu= Do not rush into extremes.

[In medio tutissimus ibis =Allez par le milieu et vous ne tomberez pas.Compare the English: When slovenly girls get tidy, they polish the bottoms of saucepans.]

MineFaire bonne mine à mauvais jeu= To put a good face on the matter; To make the best of a bad job.If fait mine de ne pas comprendre= He pretends not to understand.Il nous a fait mauvaise(or,grise)mine= He looked black (sour) at us; He did not receive us well.Cet homme a très mauvaise mine= 1. That man looks a regular ruffian. 2. That man looks very ill.Il ne paye pas de mine= His appearance is against him.Ne jugez pas sur la mine= Do not judge by appearances.[“Garde-toi, tant que tu vivras,De juger des gens sur la mine.”La Fontaine,Fables, vi. 5.]Elle fait la mine= She is sulking.

Mine

Faire bonne mine à mauvais jeu= To put a good face on the matter; To make the best of a bad job.If fait mine de ne pas comprendre= He pretends not to understand.Il nous a fait mauvaise(or,grise)mine= He looked black (sour) at us; He did not receive us well.Cet homme a très mauvaise mine= 1. That man looks a regular ruffian. 2. That man looks very ill.Il ne paye pas de mine= His appearance is against him.Ne jugez pas sur la mine= Do not judge by appearances.[“Garde-toi, tant que tu vivras,De juger des gens sur la mine.”La Fontaine,Fables, vi. 5.]Elle fait la mine= She is sulking.

Faire bonne mine à mauvais jeu= To put a good face on the matter; To make the best of a bad job.

If fait mine de ne pas comprendre= He pretends not to understand.

Il nous a fait mauvaise(or,grise)mine= He looked black (sour) at us; He did not receive us well.

Cet homme a très mauvaise mine= 1. That man looks a regular ruffian. 2. That man looks very ill.

Il ne paye pas de mine= His appearance is against him.

Ne jugez pas sur la mine= Do not judge by appearances.

[“Garde-toi, tant que tu vivras,De juger des gens sur la mine.”La Fontaine,Fables, vi. 5.]

Elle fait la mine= She is sulking.

ModeElle est ma tante à la mode de Bretagne= She is my father’s (or, mother’s) first cousin; She is my first cousin once removed.Elle est ma nièce à la mode de Bretagne= She is the daughter of my first cousin.[These phrases are used of any very distant relationship.]

Mode

Elle est ma tante à la mode de Bretagne= She is my father’s (or, mother’s) first cousin; She is my first cousin once removed.Elle est ma nièce à la mode de Bretagne= She is the daughter of my first cousin.[These phrases are used of any very distant relationship.]

Elle est ma tante à la mode de Bretagne= She is my father’s (or, mother’s) first cousin; She is my first cousin once removed.

Elle est ma nièce à la mode de Bretagne= She is the daughter of my first cousin.

[These phrases are used of any very distant relationship.]

MoindreC’est là son moindre défaut= That is not a great weakness of hers (or, his); That is the last thing you can reproach her (or, him) with.[La Fontaine,Fables, i. 1.]

Moindre

C’est là son moindre défaut= That is not a great weakness of hers (or, his); That is the last thing you can reproach her (or, him) with.[La Fontaine,Fables, i. 1.]

C’est là son moindre défaut= That is not a great weakness of hers (or, his); That is the last thing you can reproach her (or, him) with.

[La Fontaine,Fables, i. 1.]

MoineauDeux moineaux sur même épi ne sont pas longtemps amis= Two of a trade seldom agree.[“Καὶ κεραμεὺς κεραμεῖ κοτέει και τέκτονι τέκτωνΚαὶ πτωχὸς πτωχῷ φθονέει καὶ ἀοιδὸς ἀοιδῶ.”Hesiod,Opera et dies, 25.]Il tire sa poudre aux moineaux= He wastes his trouble for nothing.

Moineau

Deux moineaux sur même épi ne sont pas longtemps amis= Two of a trade seldom agree.[“Καὶ κεραμεὺς κεραμεῖ κοτέει και τέκτονι τέκτωνΚαὶ πτωχὸς πτωχῷ φθονέει καὶ ἀοιδὸς ἀοιδῶ.”Hesiod,Opera et dies, 25.]Il tire sa poudre aux moineaux= He wastes his trouble for nothing.

Deux moineaux sur même épi ne sont pas longtemps amis= Two of a trade seldom agree.

[“Καὶ κεραμεὺς κεραμεῖ κοτέει και τέκτονι τέκτωνΚαὶ πτωχὸς πτωχῷ φθονέει καὶ ἀοιδὸς ἀοιδῶ.”Hesiod,Opera et dies, 25.]

Il tire sa poudre aux moineaux= He wastes his trouble for nothing.

MoisTous les 36 du mois= Once in a blue moon.

Mois

Tous les 36 du mois= Once in a blue moon.

MondeC’est vieux comme le monde= It is as old as the hills.Vous dites des choses de l’autre monde= You say most out-of-the-way things.Il y a un monde fou= There is a terrible crowd. (SeeFou.)Vous moquez-vous du monde de parler ainsi?= Are you making fun of people (are you serious) in speaking thus? Do you take people for a pack of fools?Si vous obtenez cinq francs, c’est le bout du monde= If you get five francs, it is the utmost; You will get five francs at the very outside.Si elle a trente ans c’est tout le bout du monde= She may be thirty at the very outside.On ne peut contenter tout le monde et son père= One cannot satisfy everybody, all the world and his wife.[“Parbleu, dit le meunier, est bien fou du cerveauQui prétend contenter tout le monde et son père.”La Fontaine,Fables, iii. 1.]

Monde

C’est vieux comme le monde= It is as old as the hills.Vous dites des choses de l’autre monde= You say most out-of-the-way things.Il y a un monde fou= There is a terrible crowd. (SeeFou.)Vous moquez-vous du monde de parler ainsi?= Are you making fun of people (are you serious) in speaking thus? Do you take people for a pack of fools?Si vous obtenez cinq francs, c’est le bout du monde= If you get five francs, it is the utmost; You will get five francs at the very outside.Si elle a trente ans c’est tout le bout du monde= She may be thirty at the very outside.On ne peut contenter tout le monde et son père= One cannot satisfy everybody, all the world and his wife.[“Parbleu, dit le meunier, est bien fou du cerveauQui prétend contenter tout le monde et son père.”La Fontaine,Fables, iii. 1.]

C’est vieux comme le monde= It is as old as the hills.

Vous dites des choses de l’autre monde= You say most out-of-the-way things.

Il y a un monde fou= There is a terrible crowd. (SeeFou.)

Vous moquez-vous du monde de parler ainsi?= Are you making fun of people (are you serious) in speaking thus? Do you take people for a pack of fools?

Si vous obtenez cinq francs, c’est le bout du monde= If you get five francs, it is the utmost; You will get five francs at the very outside.

Si elle a trente ans c’est tout le bout du monde= She may be thirty at the very outside.

On ne peut contenter tout le monde et son père= One cannot satisfy everybody, all the world and his wife.

[“Parbleu, dit le meunier, est bien fou du cerveauQui prétend contenter tout le monde et son père.”La Fontaine,Fables, iii. 1.]

MonnaieIl lui a rendu la monnaie de sa pièce= He paid him back in his own coin.

Monnaie

Il lui a rendu la monnaie de sa pièce= He paid him back in his own coin.

MontPar monts et par vaux= Up hill and down dale.

Mont

Par monts et par vaux= Up hill and down dale.

MontéeÀ grande montée grande descente= The higher the rise, the greater the fall; He who climbs too high is near a fall.[“Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself.”Shakespeare,Macbeth, i. 7.Also:La Roche Tarpéienne est près du Capitole.]

Montée

À grande montée grande descente= The higher the rise, the greater the fall; He who climbs too high is near a fall.[“Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself.”Shakespeare,Macbeth, i. 7.Also:La Roche Tarpéienne est près du Capitole.]

À grande montée grande descente= The higher the rise, the greater the fall; He who climbs too high is near a fall.

[“Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself.”Shakespeare,Macbeth, i. 7.

Also:La Roche Tarpéienne est près du Capitole.]

MontrerMontrer le soleil avec un flambeau= To paint the lily; To hold a farthing rushlight to the sun.

Montrer

Montrer le soleil avec un flambeau= To paint the lily; To hold a farthing rushlight to the sun.

MordreSe mordre les doigts= To repent what one has done.Se mordre la langue= To repent what one has said.

Mordre

Se mordre les doigts= To repent what one has done.Se mordre la langue= To repent what one has said.

Se mordre les doigts= To repent what one has done.

Se mordre la langue= To repent what one has said.

MortIl est mort de sa belle mort= He died a natural death.Il est à l’article de la mort= He is at the point of death, at death’s door.Quand on compte sur les souliers d’un mort on risque de marcher pieds nus= It’s an ill thing to wait for dead men’s shoes; He pulls with a long rope that waits for another’s death.[Also:Qui s’attend à l’écuelle d’autrui risque fort de mal dîner.]Avoir la mort dans l’âme= To be grieved to death; To be overwhelmed with grief.

Mort

Il est mort de sa belle mort= He died a natural death.Il est à l’article de la mort= He is at the point of death, at death’s door.Quand on compte sur les souliers d’un mort on risque de marcher pieds nus= It’s an ill thing to wait for dead men’s shoes; He pulls with a long rope that waits for another’s death.[Also:Qui s’attend à l’écuelle d’autrui risque fort de mal dîner.]Avoir la mort dans l’âme= To be grieved to death; To be overwhelmed with grief.

Il est mort de sa belle mort= He died a natural death.

Il est à l’article de la mort= He is at the point of death, at death’s door.

Quand on compte sur les souliers d’un mort on risque de marcher pieds nus= It’s an ill thing to wait for dead men’s shoes; He pulls with a long rope that waits for another’s death.

[Also:Qui s’attend à l’écuelle d’autrui risque fort de mal dîner.]

Avoir la mort dans l’âme= To be grieved to death; To be overwhelmed with grief.

Morveux*Qui se sent morveux se mouche(pop.) = If the cap fits, wear it. (SeeGaleux.)

Morveux

*Qui se sent morveux se mouche(pop.) = If the cap fits, wear it. (SeeGaleux.)

MotIls en sont venus aux gros mots= They came to high words.*Qui ne dit mot consent= Silence gives consent.Il a toujours le mot pour rire= He is ever ready with a joke; He is full of fun.Il a 40,000 francs de rente au bas mot= He has £1600 a year at the very least.*À bon entendeur demi-mot suffit(or,salut) = A word to the wise is enough;Verbum sap.Il entend à demi-mot= He can take a hint.Ils se sont donné le mot= They have passed the word round; They have agreed before-hand what to say.Tranchons le mot= In plain English; Not to mince matters; To put it plainly.C’est mon dernier mot= That is the last concession I can make; I will not take less.Il sait le fin mot de tout cela= He understands the upshot of all this.Ne soufflez pas mot!= Do not breathe a word!En deux mots= To cut a long story short.Des mots longs d’une toise= Words as long as your arm.[Racine,Plaideurs, i. 1.]Je ne mâche pas mes mots= I don’t mince matters; I call a spade a spade.

Mot

Ils en sont venus aux gros mots= They came to high words.*Qui ne dit mot consent= Silence gives consent.Il a toujours le mot pour rire= He is ever ready with a joke; He is full of fun.Il a 40,000 francs de rente au bas mot= He has £1600 a year at the very least.*À bon entendeur demi-mot suffit(or,salut) = A word to the wise is enough;Verbum sap.Il entend à demi-mot= He can take a hint.Ils se sont donné le mot= They have passed the word round; They have agreed before-hand what to say.Tranchons le mot= In plain English; Not to mince matters; To put it plainly.C’est mon dernier mot= That is the last concession I can make; I will not take less.Il sait le fin mot de tout cela= He understands the upshot of all this.Ne soufflez pas mot!= Do not breathe a word!En deux mots= To cut a long story short.Des mots longs d’une toise= Words as long as your arm.[Racine,Plaideurs, i. 1.]Je ne mâche pas mes mots= I don’t mince matters; I call a spade a spade.

Ils en sont venus aux gros mots= They came to high words.

*Qui ne dit mot consent= Silence gives consent.

Il a toujours le mot pour rire= He is ever ready with a joke; He is full of fun.

Il a 40,000 francs de rente au bas mot= He has £1600 a year at the very least.

*À bon entendeur demi-mot suffit(or,salut) = A word to the wise is enough;Verbum sap.

Il entend à demi-mot= He can take a hint.

Ils se sont donné le mot= They have passed the word round; They have agreed before-hand what to say.

Tranchons le mot= In plain English; Not to mince matters; To put it plainly.

C’est mon dernier mot= That is the last concession I can make; I will not take less.

Il sait le fin mot de tout cela= He understands the upshot of all this.

Ne soufflez pas mot!= Do not breathe a word!

En deux mots= To cut a long story short.

Des mots longs d’une toise= Words as long as your arm.

[Racine,Plaideurs, i. 1.]

Je ne mâche pas mes mots= I don’t mince matters; I call a spade a spade.

MoucheLes grosses mouches passent à travers la toile de la justice, mais les petites y sont prises= One man may steal a horse, while another dare not look over the hedge; Justice will whip a beggar, but bow to a lord; One does the scath, another has the harm; The crow gets pardoned, and the dove has the blame.[“Où la guêpe a passé, le moucheron demeure.”La Fontaine,Fables, ii. 16.“Quidquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi.”Hor.,Ep., i. 2.Italian: Un fa il peccato, l’altro la penitenza.]*Vous faites d’une mouche un éléphant= You make a mountain out of a molehill.[“Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.”Horace,Ars Poetica.]Quelle mouche vous pique?= What irritates you? What whim have you got into your head?Il a pris la mouche= He is in a huff; He got offended.*On prend plus de mouches avec du miel qu’avec du vinaigre= More is done by kindness than by harshness.C’est une fine mouche= He is a sly dog, a deep one.C’est la mouche du coche= He is a regular busybody; The worst wheel makes the most noise. (SeeCocheandBruit.)Faire mouche= To hit the bull’s eye.

Mouche

Les grosses mouches passent à travers la toile de la justice, mais les petites y sont prises= One man may steal a horse, while another dare not look over the hedge; Justice will whip a beggar, but bow to a lord; One does the scath, another has the harm; The crow gets pardoned, and the dove has the blame.[“Où la guêpe a passé, le moucheron demeure.”La Fontaine,Fables, ii. 16.“Quidquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi.”Hor.,Ep., i. 2.Italian: Un fa il peccato, l’altro la penitenza.]*Vous faites d’une mouche un éléphant= You make a mountain out of a molehill.[“Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.”Horace,Ars Poetica.]Quelle mouche vous pique?= What irritates you? What whim have you got into your head?Il a pris la mouche= He is in a huff; He got offended.*On prend plus de mouches avec du miel qu’avec du vinaigre= More is done by kindness than by harshness.C’est une fine mouche= He is a sly dog, a deep one.C’est la mouche du coche= He is a regular busybody; The worst wheel makes the most noise. (SeeCocheandBruit.)Faire mouche= To hit the bull’s eye.

[“Où la guêpe a passé, le moucheron demeure.”La Fontaine,Fables, ii. 16.

“Quidquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi.”Hor.,Ep., i. 2.

Italian: Un fa il peccato, l’altro la penitenza.]

*Vous faites d’une mouche un éléphant= You make a mountain out of a molehill.

[“Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.”Horace,Ars Poetica.]

Quelle mouche vous pique?= What irritates you? What whim have you got into your head?

Il a pris la mouche= He is in a huff; He got offended.

*On prend plus de mouches avec du miel qu’avec du vinaigre= More is done by kindness than by harshness.

C’est une fine mouche= He is a sly dog, a deep one.

C’est la mouche du coche= He is a regular busybody; The worst wheel makes the most noise. (SeeCocheandBruit.)

Faire mouche= To hit the bull’s eye.

MoudreIl viendra moudre à notre moulin= He will be in want of us some day.

Moudre

Il viendra moudre à notre moulin= He will be in want of us some day.

MoulinC’est un vrai moulin à paroles= She is a regular chatterbox; He is a regular windbag.

Moulin

C’est un vrai moulin à paroles= She is a regular chatterbox; He is a regular windbag.

MoutardeIl m’a fait monter la moutarde au nez= He irritated me; He made me lose my temper.C’est de la moutarde après dîner= It comes too late to be of any use; It is a day after the fair.[“Depugnato proelio venire.”—Plautus,Menaechmi, v. 6, 30.“Κατόπιν τῆς ἑορτῆς ἥκεις” = You have come after the feast.—Plato,Gorgias.]

Moutarde

Il m’a fait monter la moutarde au nez= He irritated me; He made me lose my temper.C’est de la moutarde après dîner= It comes too late to be of any use; It is a day after the fair.[“Depugnato proelio venire.”—Plautus,Menaechmi, v. 6, 30.“Κατόπιν τῆς ἑορτῆς ἥκεις” = You have come after the feast.—Plato,Gorgias.]

Il m’a fait monter la moutarde au nez= He irritated me; He made me lose my temper.

C’est de la moutarde après dîner= It comes too late to be of any use; It is a day after the fair.

[“Depugnato proelio venire.”—Plautus,Menaechmi, v. 6, 30.

“Κατόπιν τῆς ἑορτῆς ἥκεις” = You have come after the feast.—Plato,Gorgias.]

MoutardierIl se croit le premier moutardier du pape= He thinks no small beer of himself.

Moutardier

Il se croit le premier moutardier du pape= He thinks no small beer of himself.

Mouton*Revenons à nos moutons= But to return to our subject.[From an old farce of the fifteenth century,Maistre Pierre Pathelin, verse 1191, attributed without foundation to Pierre Blanchet. M. F. Génin in his edition (1854) gives 1460 as the date, and Antoine de la Sale as the author. It was adapted in 1706 by Brueys and Palaprat, under the title ofL’Avocat Patelin. See alsoRégnier,Sat., ii.]

Mouton

*Revenons à nos moutons= But to return to our subject.[From an old farce of the fifteenth century,Maistre Pierre Pathelin, verse 1191, attributed without foundation to Pierre Blanchet. M. F. Génin in his edition (1854) gives 1460 as the date, and Antoine de la Sale as the author. It was adapted in 1706 by Brueys and Palaprat, under the title ofL’Avocat Patelin. See alsoRégnier,Sat., ii.]

*Revenons à nos moutons= But to return to our subject.

[From an old farce of the fifteenth century,Maistre Pierre Pathelin, verse 1191, attributed without foundation to Pierre Blanchet. M. F. Génin in his edition (1854) gives 1460 as the date, and Antoine de la Sale as the author. It was adapted in 1706 by Brueys and Palaprat, under the title ofL’Avocat Patelin. See alsoRégnier,Sat., ii.]

MoyenIl n’y a pas moyen= It cannot be done.Il fait valoir ses moyens= 1. He makes the best of his talents. 2. He boasts of his talents.Cet enfant a peu de moyens= That child is not clever.

Moyen

Il n’y a pas moyen= It cannot be done.Il fait valoir ses moyens= 1. He makes the best of his talents. 2. He boasts of his talents.Cet enfant a peu de moyens= That child is not clever.

Il n’y a pas moyen= It cannot be done.

Il fait valoir ses moyens= 1. He makes the best of his talents. 2. He boasts of his talents.

Cet enfant a peu de moyens= That child is not clever.

MurJe l’ai mis au pied du mur= I drove him into a corner; I made him decide one way or the other.

Mur

Je l’ai mis au pied du mur= I drove him into a corner; I made him decide one way or the other.

Muraille*Muraille blanche, papier de fou= Fools write their names on walls.[Late Latin: Stultorum calami, carbones mœnia chartae.]

Muraille

*Muraille blanche, papier de fou= Fools write their names on walls.[Late Latin: Stultorum calami, carbones mœnia chartae.]

*Muraille blanche, papier de fou= Fools write their names on walls.

[Late Latin: Stultorum calami, carbones mœnia chartae.]

MusiqueIl est réglé comme un papier de musique= He is as regular as clockwork.

Musique

Il est réglé comme un papier de musique= He is as regular as clockwork.

NageJe suis tout en nage= I am in a thorough perspiration; I have not a dry thread on me.

Nage

Je suis tout en nage= I am in a thorough perspiration; I have not a dry thread on me.

NavetteFaire la navette= To go to and fro between two places several times.

Navette

Faire la navette= To go to and fro between two places several times.

NèfleAvoir quelque chose pour des nèfles(fam.) = To buy something for a mere song.

Nèfle

Avoir quelque chose pour des nèfles(fam.) = To buy something for a mere song.

NerfVous me donnez sur les nerfs= You get on my nerves; You rile me (fam.).

Nerf

Vous me donnez sur les nerfs= You get on my nerves; You rile me (fam.).

NetMettez cela au net= Make a fair copy of that.Il a les mains nettes(fig.) = He is honest; His hands are clean.Refuser net= To refuse point-blank.

Net

Mettez cela au net= Make a fair copy of that.Il a les mains nettes(fig.) = He is honest; His hands are clean.Refuser net= To refuse point-blank.

Mettez cela au net= Make a fair copy of that.

Il a les mains nettes(fig.) = He is honest; His hands are clean.

Refuser net= To refuse point-blank.

NezIl a un pied de nez(fam.) = He pulls a long face, looks foolish.[Also:Il fait un nez.]Il a fait un pied de nez(fam.) = He put his fingers to his nose; “He cut a snook.”Ce coup l’a fait saigner du nez= That blow made his nose bleed.Il a saigné du nez= (lit.) His nose bled; (fig.) His heart failed him.A vue de nez= By rule of thumb.Il veut toujours fourrer son nez partout(fam.) = He wants to have his finger in every pie. (SeeFourrer.)On voulait lui tirer les vers du nez= They wished to pump him.Vous vous y casserez le nez= 1. You will fall on your face. 2. You will knock up against something. 3. You will fail in that.Porter le nez au vent= To stare about aimlessly.Il me regarda sous le nez= He stared me in the face.Il me l’a jeté au nez= He cast it in my teeth.Il a le nez fin= 1. He has a good nose. 2. He is far-sighted, sagacious.Qui coupe son nez dégarnit son visage= It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; He who cuts off his nose spites his own face.[Also:S’arracher le nez pour faire dépit à son visage.]Il me ferma la porte au nez= He shut the door in my face.Il lui en pend autant au nez= He may expect as much (something unpleasant); He will fare no better.

Nez

Il a un pied de nez(fam.) = He pulls a long face, looks foolish.[Also:Il fait un nez.]Il a fait un pied de nez(fam.) = He put his fingers to his nose; “He cut a snook.”Ce coup l’a fait saigner du nez= That blow made his nose bleed.Il a saigné du nez= (lit.) His nose bled; (fig.) His heart failed him.A vue de nez= By rule of thumb.Il veut toujours fourrer son nez partout(fam.) = He wants to have his finger in every pie. (SeeFourrer.)On voulait lui tirer les vers du nez= They wished to pump him.Vous vous y casserez le nez= 1. You will fall on your face. 2. You will knock up against something. 3. You will fail in that.Porter le nez au vent= To stare about aimlessly.Il me regarda sous le nez= He stared me in the face.Il me l’a jeté au nez= He cast it in my teeth.Il a le nez fin= 1. He has a good nose. 2. He is far-sighted, sagacious.Qui coupe son nez dégarnit son visage= It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; He who cuts off his nose spites his own face.[Also:S’arracher le nez pour faire dépit à son visage.]Il me ferma la porte au nez= He shut the door in my face.Il lui en pend autant au nez= He may expect as much (something unpleasant); He will fare no better.

Il a un pied de nez(fam.) = He pulls a long face, looks foolish.

[Also:Il fait un nez.]

Il a fait un pied de nez(fam.) = He put his fingers to his nose; “He cut a snook.”

Ce coup l’a fait saigner du nez= That blow made his nose bleed.

Il a saigné du nez= (lit.) His nose bled; (fig.) His heart failed him.

A vue de nez= By rule of thumb.

Il veut toujours fourrer son nez partout(fam.) = He wants to have his finger in every pie. (SeeFourrer.)

On voulait lui tirer les vers du nez= They wished to pump him.

Vous vous y casserez le nez= 1. You will fall on your face. 2. You will knock up against something. 3. You will fail in that.

Porter le nez au vent= To stare about aimlessly.

Il me regarda sous le nez= He stared me in the face.

Il me l’a jeté au nez= He cast it in my teeth.

Il a le nez fin= 1. He has a good nose. 2. He is far-sighted, sagacious.

Qui coupe son nez dégarnit son visage= It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; He who cuts off his nose spites his own face.

[Also:S’arracher le nez pour faire dépit à son visage.]

Il me ferma la porte au nez= He shut the door in my face.

Il lui en pend autant au nez= He may expect as much (something unpleasant); He will fare no better.

NidOn n’a plus trouvé que le nid= They found the birds flown.

Nid

On n’a plus trouvé que le nid= They found the birds flown.

NitoucheElle fait la sainte Nitouche= She plays the innocent; She looks as if butter would not melt in her mouth; She looks very demure.[Sainte Nitoucheis derived fromsainte n’y touche, shortened fromune sainte qui n’y touche pas. SeeToucher.]

Nitouche

Elle fait la sainte Nitouche= She plays the innocent; She looks as if butter would not melt in her mouth; She looks very demure.[Sainte Nitoucheis derived fromsainte n’y touche, shortened fromune sainte qui n’y touche pas. SeeToucher.]

Elle fait la sainte Nitouche= She plays the innocent; She looks as if butter would not melt in her mouth; She looks very demure.

[Sainte Nitoucheis derived fromsainte n’y touche, shortened fromune sainte qui n’y touche pas. SeeToucher.]

NoceJe n’ai jamais été à pareille noce(or,fête) = I never had such a time of it.Il a fait la noce toute la semaine= He has had a high old time of it all the week; He has been on the spree all the week.[Literally, to enjoy oneself as if one werea guest at a wedding, where there is plenty of merriment, food, and drink.]Je ne suis pas à la noce= I am not enjoying myself at all.

Noce

Je n’ai jamais été à pareille noce(or,fête) = I never had such a time of it.Il a fait la noce toute la semaine= He has had a high old time of it all the week; He has been on the spree all the week.[Literally, to enjoy oneself as if one werea guest at a wedding, where there is plenty of merriment, food, and drink.]Je ne suis pas à la noce= I am not enjoying myself at all.

Je n’ai jamais été à pareille noce(or,fête) = I never had such a time of it.

Il a fait la noce toute la semaine= He has had a high old time of it all the week; He has been on the spree all the week.

[Literally, to enjoy oneself as if one werea guest at a wedding, where there is plenty of merriment, food, and drink.]

Je ne suis pas à la noce= I am not enjoying myself at all.

Noël*Tant crie l’on Noël qu’il vient(Villon) = Long looked for comes at last; That is coming—like Christmas.Quand Noël est vert, les Pâques seront blanches= When the winter is mild, the spring will be wintry.

Noël

*Tant crie l’on Noël qu’il vient(Villon) = Long looked for comes at last; That is coming—like Christmas.Quand Noël est vert, les Pâques seront blanches= When the winter is mild, the spring will be wintry.

*Tant crie l’on Noël qu’il vient(Villon) = Long looked for comes at last; That is coming—like Christmas.

Quand Noël est vert, les Pâques seront blanches= When the winter is mild, the spring will be wintry.

NoirVoir tout en noir= To look on the black side of things; To have the blues.[Opposite to:voir tout en rose, or,voir tout couleur de rose.]Broyer du noir= To have the blues; To feel very sad.

Noir

Voir tout en noir= To look on the black side of things; To have the blues.[Opposite to:voir tout en rose, or,voir tout couleur de rose.]Broyer du noir= To have the blues; To feel very sad.

Voir tout en noir= To look on the black side of things; To have the blues.

[Opposite to:voir tout en rose, or,voir tout couleur de rose.]

Broyer du noir= To have the blues; To feel very sad.

NomNom d’un petit bonhomme!(fam.) = By Jingo!Voilà un nom à coucher dehors (avec un billet de logement dans la poche)= That’s a name too ugly for words; That’s an outlandish name if you like.

Nom

Nom d’un petit bonhomme!(fam.) = By Jingo!Voilà un nom à coucher dehors (avec un billet de logement dans la poche)= That’s a name too ugly for words; That’s an outlandish name if you like.

Nom d’un petit bonhomme!(fam.) = By Jingo!

Voilà un nom à coucher dehors (avec un billet de logement dans la poche)= That’s a name too ugly for words; That’s an outlandish name if you like.

NombreTout fait nombre= Every little helps.

Nombre

Tout fait nombre= Every little helps.

NormandC’est répondre en Normand= That is an evasive answer.

Normand

C’est répondre en Normand= That is an evasive answer.

NourriceElle dit qu’elle a vingt ans.—Et les mois de nourrice!(fam.) = She says she is twenty.—And the rest!

Nourrice

Elle dit qu’elle a vingt ans.—Et les mois de nourrice!(fam.) = She says she is twenty.—And the rest!

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