Q.

PignonAvoir pignon sur rue= To have a house of one’s own.

Pignon

Avoir pignon sur rue= To have a house of one’s own.

PileJouer à pile ou face= To play pitch and toss, heads or tails.Il n’a ni croix ni pile= He has not a rap.[“Sans croix ne pile.”—La Fontaine,Contes, ii. “Whacum had neither cross nor pile.”—Butler,Hudibras, ii. 3.Pileis literally the reverse of a coin.]

Pile

Jouer à pile ou face= To play pitch and toss, heads or tails.Il n’a ni croix ni pile= He has not a rap.[“Sans croix ne pile.”—La Fontaine,Contes, ii. “Whacum had neither cross nor pile.”—Butler,Hudibras, ii. 3.Pileis literally the reverse of a coin.]

Jouer à pile ou face= To play pitch and toss, heads or tails.

Il n’a ni croix ni pile= He has not a rap.

[“Sans croix ne pile.”—La Fontaine,Contes, ii. “Whacum had neither cross nor pile.”—Butler,Hudibras, ii. 3.Pileis literally the reverse of a coin.]

PilierC’est un pilier d’estaminet(or,de café) = He is a public-house lounger, a pub-loafer.

Pilier

C’est un pilier d’estaminet(or,de café) = He is a public-house lounger, a pub-loafer.

PiluleDorer la pilule= To gild the pill.

Pilule

Dorer la pilule= To gild the pill.

PipeCasser sa pipe(pop.) = To kick the bucket; To hop the twig; To die.

Pipe

Casser sa pipe(pop.) = To kick the bucket; To hop the twig; To die.

PiquerPiquer la curiosité de quelqu’un= To rouse some one’s curiosity.Il se pique d’un rien= He takes offence at the slightest thing.Il s’est piqué d’honneur= He made it a point of honour; He was put upon his mettle.Piquer des deux= (lit.) To spur a horse with both heels; To gallop off at full speed; (fig.) To run very fast.Piquer une tête(fam.) = To take a header.Voilà un discours qui n’est pas piqué des vers= That’s a fine speech if you like [lit. not worm-eaten.]Se piquer au jeu= (lit.) To continue obstinately to play although losing; (fig.) To go on in an enterprise in spite of all obstacles.

Piquer

Piquer la curiosité de quelqu’un= To rouse some one’s curiosity.Il se pique d’un rien= He takes offence at the slightest thing.Il s’est piqué d’honneur= He made it a point of honour; He was put upon his mettle.Piquer des deux= (lit.) To spur a horse with both heels; To gallop off at full speed; (fig.) To run very fast.Piquer une tête(fam.) = To take a header.Voilà un discours qui n’est pas piqué des vers= That’s a fine speech if you like [lit. not worm-eaten.]Se piquer au jeu= (lit.) To continue obstinately to play although losing; (fig.) To go on in an enterprise in spite of all obstacles.

Piquer la curiosité de quelqu’un= To rouse some one’s curiosity.

Il se pique d’un rien= He takes offence at the slightest thing.

Il s’est piqué d’honneur= He made it a point of honour; He was put upon his mettle.

Piquer des deux= (lit.) To spur a horse with both heels; To gallop off at full speed; (fig.) To run very fast.

Piquer une tête(fam.) = To take a header.

Voilà un discours qui n’est pas piqué des vers= That’s a fine speech if you like [lit. not worm-eaten.]

Se piquer au jeu= (lit.) To continue obstinately to play although losing; (fig.) To go on in an enterprise in spite of all obstacles.

Place*Qui va à la chasse perd sa place= If you leave your place, you lose it.

Place

*Qui va à la chasse perd sa place= If you leave your place, you lose it.

Plaider“Accordez-vous si votre affaire est bonne,Si votre cause est mauvaise, plaidez.”[J. B. Rousseau,Épigrammes, ii. 19] = If you’ve a good case, try and compromise; If you’ve a bad one, take it into court.

Plaider

“Accordez-vous si votre affaire est bonne,Si votre cause est mauvaise, plaidez.”[J. B. Rousseau,Épigrammes, ii. 19] = If you’ve a good case, try and compromise; If you’ve a bad one, take it into court.

PlaieIl ne demande que plaie et bosse= He seeks quarrels only to draw profit from them.Il ne cherche que plaie et bosse= He is always hankering after a black eye.

Plaie

Il ne demande que plaie et bosse= He seeks quarrels only to draw profit from them.Il ne cherche que plaie et bosse= He is always hankering after a black eye.

Il ne demande que plaie et bosse= He seeks quarrels only to draw profit from them.

Il ne cherche que plaie et bosse= He is always hankering after a black eye.

PlaisanterieUne bonne plaisanterie mérite les honneurs du bis= A good tale is none the worse for being told twice.

Plaisanterie

Une bonne plaisanterie mérite les honneurs du bis= A good tale is none the worse for being told twice.

PlanReléguer (mettre) au second plan= To put into the background.

Plan

Reléguer (mettre) au second plan= To put into the background.

PlancheFaire la planche= 1. To show others the way; 2. To float on one’s back.C’est sa planche de salut= It is his last hope, his sheet-anchor.

Planche

Faire la planche= 1. To show others the way; 2. To float on one’s back.C’est sa planche de salut= It is his last hope, his sheet-anchor.

Faire la planche= 1. To show others the way; 2. To float on one’s back.

C’est sa planche de salut= It is his last hope, his sheet-anchor.

PlancherLe plancher des vaches(fam.) = Dry land;Terra firma.Débarrasse-moi le plancher(fam.) = Get out of my way.

Plancher

Le plancher des vaches(fam.) = Dry land;Terra firma.Débarrasse-moi le plancher(fam.) = Get out of my way.

Le plancher des vaches(fam.) = Dry land;Terra firma.

Débarrasse-moi le plancher(fam.) = Get out of my way.

PlanterVous m’avez planté là= You left me without any warning; You left me in the lurch.

Planter

Vous m’avez planté là= You left me without any warning; You left me in the lurch.

PlatIl nous a servi un plat de son métier(or,de sa façon) = He played us one of his tricks.On mit les petits plats dans les grands pour le bien recevoir(fam.) = They spared neither trouble nor money to receive him well; They received him with much fuss.Il a mis les pieds dans le plat(fam.) = He put his foot in it.

Plat

Il nous a servi un plat de son métier(or,de sa façon) = He played us one of his tricks.On mit les petits plats dans les grands pour le bien recevoir(fam.) = They spared neither trouble nor money to receive him well; They received him with much fuss.Il a mis les pieds dans le plat(fam.) = He put his foot in it.

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

On mit les petits plats dans les grands pour le bien recevoir(fam.) = They spared neither trouble nor money to receive him well; They received him with much fuss.

Il a mis les pieds dans le plat(fam.) = He put his foot in it.

PlâtreCe mari bat sa femme comme plâtre= That husband beats his wife like a dog.Essuyer les plâtres= To live in a newly-built house (and therefore damp). (SeeEssuyer.)

Plâtre

Ce mari bat sa femme comme plâtre= That husband beats his wife like a dog.Essuyer les plâtres= To live in a newly-built house (and therefore damp). (SeeEssuyer.)

Ce mari bat sa femme comme plâtre= That husband beats his wife like a dog.

Essuyer les plâtres= To live in a newly-built house (and therefore damp). (SeeEssuyer.)

PleinBattre son plein= To be in full swing.Plein comme un œuf(fam.) = Chock-full.En pleine rue= In the open street.En pleine mer= On the high seas.

Plein

Battre son plein= To be in full swing.Plein comme un œuf(fam.) = Chock-full.En pleine rue= In the open street.En pleine mer= On the high seas.

Battre son plein= To be in full swing.

Plein comme un œuf(fam.) = Chock-full.

En pleine rue= In the open street.

En pleine mer= On the high seas.

PleurerLa niaise! pleurer à chaudes larmes pour une vétille= The silly girl! to cry her eyes out for a trifle.

Pleurer

La niaise! pleurer à chaudes larmes pour une vétille= The silly girl! to cry her eyes out for a trifle.

PleuvoirPleuvoir des hallebardes= To rain cats, dogs, and pitchforks.

Pleuvoir

Pleuvoir des hallebardes= To rain cats, dogs, and pitchforks.

PliCela ne fera pas un pli= There will not be the slightest difficulty.Si vous n’y prenez (pas) garde, il prendra un mauvais pli= If you are not careful he will get into bad habits.

Pli

Cela ne fera pas un pli= There will not be the slightest difficulty.Si vous n’y prenez (pas) garde, il prendra un mauvais pli= If you are not careful he will get into bad habits.

Cela ne fera pas un pli= There will not be the slightest difficulty.

Si vous n’y prenez (pas) garde, il prendra un mauvais pli= If you are not careful he will get into bad habits.

Pluie*Après la pluie le beau temps= Every cloud has a silver lining.Nous parlions de la pluie et du beau temps= We were talking of indifferent matters.Il fait la pluie et le beau temps dans cette maison= His will is law in that house; He is the boss of that show (fam.).

Pluie

*Après la pluie le beau temps= Every cloud has a silver lining.Nous parlions de la pluie et du beau temps= We were talking of indifferent matters.Il fait la pluie et le beau temps dans cette maison= His will is law in that house; He is the boss of that show (fam.).

*Après la pluie le beau temps= Every cloud has a silver lining.

Nous parlions de la pluie et du beau temps= We were talking of indifferent matters.

Il fait la pluie et le beau temps dans cette maison= His will is law in that house; He is the boss of that show (fam.).

Plus*Plus on a, plus on veut avoir= Much would have more.

Plus

*Plus on a, plus on veut avoir= Much would have more.

PocheIl connaît Paris comme sa poche= He knows Paris perfectly; He knows all the ins and outs of Paris; His knowledge of Paris is extensive and peculiar.

Poche

Il connaît Paris comme sa poche= He knows Paris perfectly; He knows all the ins and outs of Paris; His knowledge of Paris is extensive and peculiar.

PoilUn brave à trois poils= The bravest of the brave; A hero of the first water.[This expression is derived from three-piled velvet. SeeMolière,Les Précieuses Ridicules, 12.]Monter à poil= To ride barebacked.

Poil

Un brave à trois poils= The bravest of the brave; A hero of the first water.[This expression is derived from three-piled velvet. SeeMolière,Les Précieuses Ridicules, 12.]Monter à poil= To ride barebacked.

Un brave à trois poils= The bravest of the brave; A hero of the first water.

[This expression is derived from three-piled velvet. SeeMolière,Les Précieuses Ridicules, 12.]

Monter à poil= To ride barebacked.

Point*Un point à temps en épargne cent= A stitch in time saves nine.[Spanish: Quien no adoba gotera adoba casa entera = Who repairs not his gutter repairs his whole house.]Cela vient à point= That comes opportunely.La viande est cuite à point= The meat is done to a turn.Vous venez à point nommé= You come in the nick of time, at the necessary moment, just when you are wanted.Mettez les points sur les i= Be precise, clear (in speaking or writing); Cross your t’s and dot your i’s.Il vous rendrait des points= He is more than a match for you; He could give you points.Il vous rendra des points= He will give you odds (at a game).Il y a un point noir à l’horizon= There are breakers ahead.

Point

*Un point à temps en épargne cent= A stitch in time saves nine.[Spanish: Quien no adoba gotera adoba casa entera = Who repairs not his gutter repairs his whole house.]Cela vient à point= That comes opportunely.La viande est cuite à point= The meat is done to a turn.Vous venez à point nommé= You come in the nick of time, at the necessary moment, just when you are wanted.Mettez les points sur les i= Be precise, clear (in speaking or writing); Cross your t’s and dot your i’s.Il vous rendrait des points= He is more than a match for you; He could give you points.Il vous rendra des points= He will give you odds (at a game).Il y a un point noir à l’horizon= There are breakers ahead.

*Un point à temps en épargne cent= A stitch in time saves nine.

[Spanish: Quien no adoba gotera adoba casa entera = Who repairs not his gutter repairs his whole house.]

Cela vient à point= That comes opportunely.

La viande est cuite à point= The meat is done to a turn.

Vous venez à point nommé= You come in the nick of time, at the necessary moment, just when you are wanted.

Mettez les points sur les i= Be precise, clear (in speaking or writing); Cross your t’s and dot your i’s.

Il vous rendrait des points= He is more than a match for you; He could give you points.

Il vous rendra des points= He will give you odds (at a game).

Il y a un point noir à l’horizon= There are breakers ahead.

Poire*Coupons la poire en deux= Let us split the difference.Elle faisait trop sa poire(pop.) = She needed pressing; She played the prude (or, disdainful).[“Il était trop homme pour faire sa poire.”]Nous en causerons entre la poire et le fromage= We will talk it over at dessert.Garder une poire pour la soif= To lay up something for a rainy day.

Poire

*Coupons la poire en deux= Let us split the difference.Elle faisait trop sa poire(pop.) = She needed pressing; She played the prude (or, disdainful).[“Il était trop homme pour faire sa poire.”]Nous en causerons entre la poire et le fromage= We will talk it over at dessert.Garder une poire pour la soif= To lay up something for a rainy day.

*Coupons la poire en deux= Let us split the difference.

Elle faisait trop sa poire(pop.) = She needed pressing; She played the prude (or, disdainful).

[“Il était trop homme pour faire sa poire.”]

Nous en causerons entre la poire et le fromage= We will talk it over at dessert.

Garder une poire pour la soif= To lay up something for a rainy day.

PoissonOn lui a fait un poisson d’avril= They made him an April fool.Je suis comme un poisson sur la paille= I am like a fish out of water.

Poisson

On lui a fait un poisson d’avril= They made him an April fool.Je suis comme un poisson sur la paille= I am like a fish out of water.

On lui a fait un poisson d’avril= They made him an April fool.

Je suis comme un poisson sur la paille= I am like a fish out of water.

PolichinelleC’est le secret de Polichinelle= It is an open secret; Every one knows it.Il a avalé la pratique de Polichinelle= He is very hoarse.[La pratique de Polichinelleis the squeaker that a Punch-and-Judy man puts in his mouth during a performance.]

Polichinelle

C’est le secret de Polichinelle= It is an open secret; Every one knows it.Il a avalé la pratique de Polichinelle= He is very hoarse.[La pratique de Polichinelleis the squeaker that a Punch-and-Judy man puts in his mouth during a performance.]

C’est le secret de Polichinelle= It is an open secret; Every one knows it.

Il a avalé la pratique de Polichinelle= He is very hoarse.

[La pratique de Polichinelleis the squeaker that a Punch-and-Judy man puts in his mouth during a performance.]

Politesse*Force politesse, trop de finesse= Full of courtesy, full of craft.

Politesse

*Force politesse, trop de finesse= Full of courtesy, full of craft.

PontIl se porte comme le Pont Neuf= He is in splendid health.C’est vieux comme le Pont Neuf= Queen Anne is dead; It is as old as the hills.[The Pont Neuf was finished in 1604 during the reign of Henry IV., and is now the oldest bridge in Paris. The statue of Henry IV. in the middle of the bridge was erected originally in 1635, but the present one dates only from 1818.Another expression is:Henri Quatre est sur le Pont Neuf= That’s stale news.]

Pont

Il se porte comme le Pont Neuf= He is in splendid health.C’est vieux comme le Pont Neuf= Queen Anne is dead; It is as old as the hills.[The Pont Neuf was finished in 1604 during the reign of Henry IV., and is now the oldest bridge in Paris. The statue of Henry IV. in the middle of the bridge was erected originally in 1635, but the present one dates only from 1818.Another expression is:Henri Quatre est sur le Pont Neuf= That’s stale news.]

Il se porte comme le Pont Neuf= He is in splendid health.

C’est vieux comme le Pont Neuf= Queen Anne is dead; It is as old as the hills.

[The Pont Neuf was finished in 1604 during the reign of Henry IV., and is now the oldest bridge in Paris. The statue of Henry IV. in the middle of the bridge was erected originally in 1635, but the present one dates only from 1818.

Another expression is:Henri Quatre est sur le Pont Neuf= That’s stale news.]

PontoiseIl a l’air de revenir de Pontoise= He looks down in the mouth; He answers in a silly fashion.[The origin of this expression is said to be that in 1720 and in 1753 the Parlement was exiled to Pontoise, about twenty miles north of Paris, for its rebellion to the King. Perhaps from the fact that when they returned they were besieged with questions, to which they gave confused answers, the saying arose and was applied to anyone that had a simple, idiotic appearance.]

Pontoise

Il a l’air de revenir de Pontoise= He looks down in the mouth; He answers in a silly fashion.[The origin of this expression is said to be that in 1720 and in 1753 the Parlement was exiled to Pontoise, about twenty miles north of Paris, for its rebellion to the King. Perhaps from the fact that when they returned they were besieged with questions, to which they gave confused answers, the saying arose and was applied to anyone that had a simple, idiotic appearance.]

Il a l’air de revenir de Pontoise= He looks down in the mouth; He answers in a silly fashion.

[The origin of this expression is said to be that in 1720 and in 1753 the Parlement was exiled to Pontoise, about twenty miles north of Paris, for its rebellion to the King. Perhaps from the fact that when they returned they were besieged with questions, to which they gave confused answers, the saying arose and was applied to anyone that had a simple, idiotic appearance.]

PorteIls ont mis la clef sous la porte= They absconded.Il faut qu’une porte soit ouverte ou fermée= You must decide one way or the other.[The title of one of Alfred de Musset’s Proverbes.]On l’a mis à la porte= They turned him out.Il a été mis à la porte par les oreilles et les deux épaules= He was turned out ignominiously, neck and crop.On a condamné la porte= The door is nailed up, blocked up.

Porte

Ils ont mis la clef sous la porte= They absconded.Il faut qu’une porte soit ouverte ou fermée= You must decide one way or the other.[The title of one of Alfred de Musset’s Proverbes.]On l’a mis à la porte= They turned him out.Il a été mis à la porte par les oreilles et les deux épaules= He was turned out ignominiously, neck and crop.On a condamné la porte= The door is nailed up, blocked up.

Ils ont mis la clef sous la porte= They absconded.

Il faut qu’une porte soit ouverte ou fermée= You must decide one way or the other.

[The title of one of Alfred de Musset’s Proverbes.]

On l’a mis à la porte= They turned him out.

Il a été mis à la porte par les oreilles et les deux épaules= He was turned out ignominiously, neck and crop.

On a condamné la porte= The door is nailed up, blocked up.

PortéeÀ sa portée(or,à portée de sa main) = Within his reach.À (la) portée de la voix= Within call.À (une) portée de fusil= Within gunshot.

Portée

À sa portée(or,à portée de sa main) = Within his reach.À (la) portée de la voix= Within call.À (une) portée de fusil= Within gunshot.

À sa portée(or,à portée de sa main) = Within his reach.

À (la) portée de la voix= Within call.

À (une) portée de fusil= Within gunshot.

PorterC’est elle qui porte la culotte= She is mistress in this house (not her husband); The grey mare is the better horse.On le porte aux nues= They praise him to the skies.Ses plaisanteries portent coup= His jokes hit the mark.

Porter

C’est elle qui porte la culotte= She is mistress in this house (not her husband); The grey mare is the better horse.On le porte aux nues= They praise him to the skies.Ses plaisanteries portent coup= His jokes hit the mark.

C’est elle qui porte la culotte= She is mistress in this house (not her husband); The grey mare is the better horse.

On le porte aux nues= They praise him to the skies.

Ses plaisanteries portent coup= His jokes hit the mark.

PoseurC’est un poseur= He is a prig (lit. attitudiniser).[There are several varieties of prigs,e.g.—un savantasse= a learned prig.un collet monté= a stiff-and-starched prig.un cafard= a Pecksniff.un fat= a conceited ass.un freluquet= a whipper-snapper.SeeJournal of Education, March 1896.]

Poseur

C’est un poseur= He is a prig (lit. attitudiniser).[There are several varieties of prigs,e.g.—un savantasse= a learned prig.un collet monté= a stiff-and-starched prig.un cafard= a Pecksniff.un fat= a conceited ass.un freluquet= a whipper-snapper.SeeJournal of Education, March 1896.]

C’est un poseur= He is a prig (lit. attitudiniser).

[There are several varieties of prigs,e.g.—un savantasse= a learned prig.un collet monté= a stiff-and-starched prig.un cafard= a Pecksniff.un fat= a conceited ass.un freluquet= a whipper-snapper.SeeJournal of Education, March 1896.]

Possession*En fait de meubles possession vaut titre= Possession is nine points of the law.

Possession

*En fait de meubles possession vaut titre= Possession is nine points of the law.

PossiblePas possible!= You don’t say so! “Well, I never!”

Possible

Pas possible!= You don’t say so! “Well, I never!”

PotIl découvrit bientôt le pot aux roses= He soon found out the secret.*Un pot fêlé dure longtemps= A creaking door hangs long: Ailing folk live longest.*Il n’y a si méchant pot qui ne trouve son couvercle= Every Jack must have his Jill.[Also:À un boiteux, femme qui cloche.]Il a reçu un pot-de-vin= He received a bribe, an illicit commission.[Apot-de-vinis a gratuity given to B by A because B obtained for A an order from C. It implies the idea of a bribe, for if everything had been fair A would not have obtained his order from C, either because his terms were too high or his wares not good enough.]Payer les pots cassés= To stand the racket; To pay the damage; To face the music.Tourner autour du pot= To beat about the bush.C’est le pot de terre contre le pot de fer= It is a most unequal combat.

Pot

Il découvrit bientôt le pot aux roses= He soon found out the secret.*Un pot fêlé dure longtemps= A creaking door hangs long: Ailing folk live longest.*Il n’y a si méchant pot qui ne trouve son couvercle= Every Jack must have his Jill.[Also:À un boiteux, femme qui cloche.]Il a reçu un pot-de-vin= He received a bribe, an illicit commission.[Apot-de-vinis a gratuity given to B by A because B obtained for A an order from C. It implies the idea of a bribe, for if everything had been fair A would not have obtained his order from C, either because his terms were too high or his wares not good enough.]Payer les pots cassés= To stand the racket; To pay the damage; To face the music.Tourner autour du pot= To beat about the bush.C’est le pot de terre contre le pot de fer= It is a most unequal combat.

Il découvrit bientôt le pot aux roses= He soon found out the secret.

*Un pot fêlé dure longtemps= A creaking door hangs long: Ailing folk live longest.

*Il n’y a si méchant pot qui ne trouve son couvercle= Every Jack must have his Jill.

[Also:À un boiteux, femme qui cloche.]

Il a reçu un pot-de-vin= He received a bribe, an illicit commission.

[Apot-de-vinis a gratuity given to B by A because B obtained for A an order from C. It implies the idea of a bribe, for if everything had been fair A would not have obtained his order from C, either because his terms were too high or his wares not good enough.]

Payer les pots cassés= To stand the racket; To pay the damage; To face the music.

Tourner autour du pot= To beat about the bush.

C’est le pot de terre contre le pot de fer= It is a most unequal combat.

PotasserJe vais potasser (piocher) un brin(students’ slang) = I’m going to swot (mug up) a bit.

Potasser

Je vais potasser (piocher) un brin(students’ slang) = I’m going to swot (mug up) a bit.

PotinFaire du potin (chambard, boucan)(pop.) = To kick up a row, a shindy.

Potin

Faire du potin (chambard, boucan)(pop.) = To kick up a row, a shindy.

PouceManger sur le pouce= To take a snack.Mettre les pouces= To give in, to knuckle under.Lire du pouce(or,doigt) = To skip in reading (i.e.to do more work with the thumb than the brain).

Pouce

Manger sur le pouce= To take a snack.Mettre les pouces= To give in, to knuckle under.Lire du pouce(or,doigt) = To skip in reading (i.e.to do more work with the thumb than the brain).

Manger sur le pouce= To take a snack.

Mettre les pouces= To give in, to knuckle under.

Lire du pouce(or,doigt) = To skip in reading (i.e.to do more work with the thumb than the brain).

Poudre*Il n’a pas inventé la poudre= He will never set the Thames on fire.

Poudre

*Il n’a pas inventé la poudre= He will never set the Thames on fire.

PouleC’est une poule mouillée= He is a milk-sop.

Poule

C’est une poule mouillée= He is a milk-sop.

PourpointMettre un homme en pourpoint= To pull a man’s cloak off; To ruin a man.Se mettre en pourpoint= To be ready to fight; To roll up one’s sleeves.Tirer un coup(de pistolet, etc.)à brûle-pourpoint= To fire point-blank.Un argument à brûle-pourpoint= A convincing argument.Donner à quelqu’un un pourpoint de pierre= To give any one a stone doublet; To imprison any one.

Pourpoint

Mettre un homme en pourpoint= To pull a man’s cloak off; To ruin a man.Se mettre en pourpoint= To be ready to fight; To roll up one’s sleeves.Tirer un coup(de pistolet, etc.)à brûle-pourpoint= To fire point-blank.Un argument à brûle-pourpoint= A convincing argument.Donner à quelqu’un un pourpoint de pierre= To give any one a stone doublet; To imprison any one.

Mettre un homme en pourpoint= To pull a man’s cloak off; To ruin a man.

Se mettre en pourpoint= To be ready to fight; To roll up one’s sleeves.

Tirer un coup(de pistolet, etc.)à brûle-pourpoint= To fire point-blank.

Un argument à brûle-pourpoint= A convincing argument.

Donner à quelqu’un un pourpoint de pierre= To give any one a stone doublet; To imprison any one.

PouvoirJe n’y puis rien= I cannot help it; I can do nothing in the matter.Si faire se peut= If possible.Je n’en puis plus= I am done up, exhausted.Je n’en puis mais= I cannot help it; It is no fault of mine. (SeeMais.)Cela se peut= That may be.Cela ne se peut pas= It cannot possibly be; It cannot be done.On fait comme on peut= We must do the best we can; We have done the best we could.Il est toujours on ne peut plus aimable= He is always as nice as can be.

Pouvoir

Je n’y puis rien= I cannot help it; I can do nothing in the matter.Si faire se peut= If possible.Je n’en puis plus= I am done up, exhausted.Je n’en puis mais= I cannot help it; It is no fault of mine. (SeeMais.)Cela se peut= That may be.Cela ne se peut pas= It cannot possibly be; It cannot be done.On fait comme on peut= We must do the best we can; We have done the best we could.Il est toujours on ne peut plus aimable= He is always as nice as can be.

Je n’y puis rien= I cannot help it; I can do nothing in the matter.

Si faire se peut= If possible.

Je n’en puis plus= I am done up, exhausted.

Je n’en puis mais= I cannot help it; It is no fault of mine. (SeeMais.)

Cela se peut= That may be.

Cela ne se peut pas= It cannot possibly be; It cannot be done.

On fait comme on peut= We must do the best we can; We have done the best we could.

Il est toujours on ne peut plus aimable= He is always as nice as can be.

PrêcherIl prêche dans le désert= (lit.) He preaches to empty benches; (fig.) All his talking will not convince any one.Chacun prêche pour son saint= Every one has an eye to his own interest.

Prêcher

Il prêche dans le désert= (lit.) He preaches to empty benches; (fig.) All his talking will not convince any one.Chacun prêche pour son saint= Every one has an eye to his own interest.

Il prêche dans le désert= (lit.) He preaches to empty benches; (fig.) All his talking will not convince any one.

Chacun prêche pour son saint= Every one has an eye to his own interest.

PremierNous sommes au premier= We are on the first floor.Nous sommes en première= We are in a first-class railway carriage.Le premier venu= (fig.) No matter who (or, whom); The man in the street.*Les premiers vont devant= First come, first served.[“Whoso first cometh to the mill, first grint.”—Chaucer.]

Premier

Nous sommes au premier= We are on the first floor.Nous sommes en première= We are in a first-class railway carriage.Le premier venu= (fig.) No matter who (or, whom); The man in the street.*Les premiers vont devant= First come, first served.[“Whoso first cometh to the mill, first grint.”—Chaucer.]

Nous sommes au premier= We are on the first floor.

Nous sommes en première= We are in a first-class railway carriage.

Le premier venu= (fig.) No matter who (or, whom); The man in the street.

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

[“Whoso first cometh to the mill, first grint.”—Chaucer.]

PrendreIl prend sur son sommeil pour étudier= He works far into the night.C’est autant de pris sur l’ennemi= So much saved out of the fire; So much to the good.Bien lui en prit d’avoir fermé sa porte= It was lucky for him that he shut his door.Il prend le chemin de l’hôpital= He is on the highway to ruin.Je m’en prends à vous= I lay the blame at your door.Je vous y prends= I catch you at it.Ça ne prend pas(fam.) = “That’s no go.”Je sors d’en prendre(fam.) = I had rather be excused; You will not catch me again so soon.Qu’est-ce qui vous prend?= What is the matter with you?[This is said to persons doing something suddenly without any apparent reason, or suddenly becoming bad-tempered, etc., not to invalids.]Je vais vous montrer comment il faut s’y prendre= I am going to show you how to set about it.*Ce qui est bon à prendre est bon à garder= What is worth taking is worth keeping; “Findings, keepings.”Prenez-vous-en à vous-même= You have yourself to thank for it.À tout prendre= On the whole; Everything considered.

Prendre

Il prend sur son sommeil pour étudier= He works far into the night.C’est autant de pris sur l’ennemi= So much saved out of the fire; So much to the good.Bien lui en prit d’avoir fermé sa porte= It was lucky for him that he shut his door.Il prend le chemin de l’hôpital= He is on the highway to ruin.Je m’en prends à vous= I lay the blame at your door.Je vous y prends= I catch you at it.Ça ne prend pas(fam.) = “That’s no go.”Je sors d’en prendre(fam.) = I had rather be excused; You will not catch me again so soon.Qu’est-ce qui vous prend?= What is the matter with you?[This is said to persons doing something suddenly without any apparent reason, or suddenly becoming bad-tempered, etc., not to invalids.]Je vais vous montrer comment il faut s’y prendre= I am going to show you how to set about it.*Ce qui est bon à prendre est bon à garder= What is worth taking is worth keeping; “Findings, keepings.”Prenez-vous-en à vous-même= You have yourself to thank for it.À tout prendre= On the whole; Everything considered.

Il prend sur son sommeil pour étudier= He works far into the night.

C’est autant de pris sur l’ennemi= So much saved out of the fire; So much to the good.

Bien lui en prit d’avoir fermé sa porte= It was lucky for him that he shut his door.

Il prend le chemin de l’hôpital= He is on the highway to ruin.

Je m’en prends à vous= I lay the blame at your door.

Je vous y prends= I catch you at it.

Ça ne prend pas(fam.) = “That’s no go.”

Je sors d’en prendre(fam.) = I had rather be excused; You will not catch me again so soon.

Qu’est-ce qui vous prend?= What is the matter with you?

[This is said to persons doing something suddenly without any apparent reason, or suddenly becoming bad-tempered, etc., not to invalids.]

Je vais vous montrer comment il faut s’y prendre= I am going to show you how to set about it.

*Ce qui est bon à prendre est bon à garder= What is worth taking is worth keeping; “Findings, keepings.”

Prenez-vous-en à vous-même= You have yourself to thank for it.

À tout prendre= On the whole; Everything considered.

PrèsÀ cela près il est bon enfant= Except for that he is a good fellow.

Près

À cela près il est bon enfant= Except for that he is a good fellow.

PresseIl n’y a pas presse= There is no hurry!*Plus on se presse, moins on arrive= The more haste, the less speed.Fendre la presse= To make one’s way through the crowd.

Presse

Il n’y a pas presse= There is no hurry!*Plus on se presse, moins on arrive= The more haste, the less speed.Fendre la presse= To make one’s way through the crowd.

Il n’y a pas presse= There is no hurry!

*Plus on se presse, moins on arrive= The more haste, the less speed.

Fendre la presse= To make one’s way through the crowd.

PretentaineCourir la pretentaine= To gad about.

Pretentaine

Courir la pretentaine= To gad about.

PrêterIl prête de l’argent à la petite semaine= He lends money for a short time at a high rate of interest.Un prêté pour un rendu= A Roland for an Oliver.Prêter le flanc à ...= To lay oneself open to...Prêter serment= To take the oath.Ce drap prête= This stuff gives, stretches.

Prêter

Il prête de l’argent à la petite semaine= He lends money for a short time at a high rate of interest.Un prêté pour un rendu= A Roland for an Oliver.Prêter le flanc à ...= To lay oneself open to...Prêter serment= To take the oath.Ce drap prête= This stuff gives, stretches.

Il prête de l’argent à la petite semaine= He lends money for a short time at a high rate of interest.

Un prêté pour un rendu= A Roland for an Oliver.

Prêter le flanc à ...= To lay oneself open to...

Prêter serment= To take the oath.

Ce drap prête= This stuff gives, stretches.

PrimerElle prime par sa laideur= She takes the cake for ugliness.

Primer

Elle prime par sa laideur= She takes the cake for ugliness.

PrincesseAux frais de la Princesse= At another’s expense (chiefly of the State Government).

Princesse

Aux frais de la Princesse= At another’s expense (chiefly of the State Government).

PriseIls étaient aux prises= They had closed; They were at close quarters.Je les ai mis aux prises= I have set them one against the other.Je leur ai donné prise sur moi= I gave them a handle on me.Lâcher prise= To let go one’s hold.

Prise

Ils étaient aux prises= They had closed; They were at close quarters.Je les ai mis aux prises= I have set them one against the other.Je leur ai donné prise sur moi= I gave them a handle on me.Lâcher prise= To let go one’s hold.

Ils étaient aux prises= They had closed; They were at close quarters.

Je les ai mis aux prises= I have set them one against the other.

Je leur ai donné prise sur moi= I gave them a handle on me.

Lâcher prise= To let go one’s hold.

ProcèsSans autre forme de procès= Without any more ado.

Procès

Sans autre forme de procès= Without any more ado.

PromenerJe l’ai envoyé promener(or,paître) = I sent him about his business.Va te promener!(fam.) = Go to Jericho! Get along with you![Compare: “Βάλλ᾽ εἰς μακαρίαν” = Go to Glory.—Plato,Hipp. Major, 293A—a euphemism for Βάλλ᾽ εἰς ἅδον.]

Promener

Je l’ai envoyé promener(or,paître) = I sent him about his business.Va te promener!(fam.) = Go to Jericho! Get along with you![Compare: “Βάλλ᾽ εἰς μακαρίαν” = Go to Glory.—Plato,Hipp. Major, 293A—a euphemism for Βάλλ᾽ εἰς ἅδον.]

Je l’ai envoyé promener(or,paître) = I sent him about his business.

Va te promener!(fam.) = Go to Jericho! Get along with you!

[Compare: “Βάλλ᾽ εἰς μακαρίαν” = Go to Glory.—Plato,Hipp. Major, 293A—a euphemism for Βάλλ᾽ εἰς ἅδον.]

Promettre*Chose promise, chose due= Promises should be kept.Promettre et tenir sont deux= It is one thing to promise, another to perform.

Promettre

*Chose promise, chose due= Promises should be kept.Promettre et tenir sont deux= It is one thing to promise, another to perform.

*Chose promise, chose due= Promises should be kept.

Promettre et tenir sont deux= It is one thing to promise, another to perform.

ProposIl est venu fort à propos= He came very opportunely.À propos, viendrez-vous ce soir?= By the way, shall you come this evening?L’à-propos fait le mérite= Seasonableness gives everything its price.À propos de bottes= With reference to nothing in particular; With no reference to the subject in hand.Il le dit à tout propos= He says it on every occasion, at every turn.Il l’a fait de propos délibéré= He did it of set purpose; He had made up his mind to do it.Il l’a fait fort mal à propos= He did it very unseasonably, just at the wrong time.

Propos

Il est venu fort à propos= He came very opportunely.À propos, viendrez-vous ce soir?= By the way, shall you come this evening?L’à-propos fait le mérite= Seasonableness gives everything its price.À propos de bottes= With reference to nothing in particular; With no reference to the subject in hand.Il le dit à tout propos= He says it on every occasion, at every turn.Il l’a fait de propos délibéré= He did it of set purpose; He had made up his mind to do it.Il l’a fait fort mal à propos= He did it very unseasonably, just at the wrong time.

Il est venu fort à propos= He came very opportunely.

À propos, viendrez-vous ce soir?= By the way, shall you come this evening?

L’à-propos fait le mérite= Seasonableness gives everything its price.

À propos de bottes= With reference to nothing in particular; With no reference to the subject in hand.

Il le dit à tout propos= He says it on every occasion, at every turn.

Il l’a fait de propos délibéré= He did it of set purpose; He had made up his mind to do it.

Il l’a fait fort mal à propos= He did it very unseasonably, just at the wrong time.

PropreC’est du propre(ironic.) = A fine thing indeed.Il n’a rien en propre= He has nothing of his own.Un propre-à-rien= A good-for-naught.Propre à tout et bon à rien= Jack of all trades and master of none.Propre comme un sou neuf= As clean as a whistle; As neat as a new pin.

Propre

C’est du propre(ironic.) = A fine thing indeed.Il n’a rien en propre= He has nothing of his own.Un propre-à-rien= A good-for-naught.Propre à tout et bon à rien= Jack of all trades and master of none.Propre comme un sou neuf= As clean as a whistle; As neat as a new pin.

C’est du propre(ironic.) = A fine thing indeed.

Il n’a rien en propre= He has nothing of his own.

Un propre-à-rien= A good-for-naught.

Propre à tout et bon à rien= Jack of all trades and master of none.

Propre comme un sou neuf= As clean as a whistle; As neat as a new pin.

PruneJe ne le ferai pas pour des prunes(fam.) = I shall not do it for nothing.[Also:Je ne le ferai pas pour le roi de Prusse.This latter saying is said to have originated with Voltaire, who, after having been exceedingly intimate with Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, finally quarrelled with him. Both this King and his father, Frederick William I., were known to be exacting and miserly.]

Prune

Je ne le ferai pas pour des prunes(fam.) = I shall not do it for nothing.[Also:Je ne le ferai pas pour le roi de Prusse.This latter saying is said to have originated with Voltaire, who, after having been exceedingly intimate with Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, finally quarrelled with him. Both this King and his father, Frederick William I., were known to be exacting and miserly.]

Je ne le ferai pas pour des prunes(fam.) = I shall not do it for nothing.

[Also:Je ne le ferai pas pour le roi de Prusse.This latter saying is said to have originated with Voltaire, who, after having been exceedingly intimate with Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, finally quarrelled with him. Both this King and his father, Frederick William I., were known to be exacting and miserly.]

PuceJe lui ai mis la puce à l’oreille= I made him feel uneasy (by rousing his suspicions, etc.); I sent him away with a flea in his ear.

Puce

Je lui ai mis la puce à l’oreille= I made him feel uneasy (by rousing his suspicions, etc.); I sent him away with a flea in his ear.

PuitsCet homme est un puits de science= He is a man of deep learning.

Puits

Cet homme est un puits de science= He is a man of deep learning.

QuandJe le ferai quand même= I shall do it just the same; I shall do it whatever it may cost.

Quand

Je le ferai quand même= I shall do it just the same; I shall do it whatever it may cost.

QuantSe tenir sur son quant-à-soi= To stand on one’s dignity.

Quant

Se tenir sur son quant-à-soi= To stand on one’s dignity.

QuartLe quart d’heure de Rabelais= The moment of payment. (SeeHeure.)Passer un mauvais quart d’heure= To have a bad time of it.

Quart

Le quart d’heure de Rabelais= The moment of payment. (SeeHeure.)Passer un mauvais quart d’heure= To have a bad time of it.

Le quart d’heure de Rabelais= The moment of payment. (SeeHeure.)

Passer un mauvais quart d’heure= To have a bad time of it.

QuatorzeAvoir quinte et quatorze= To have the game in one’s own hand.[This phrase refers to terms used in the game of piquet.Quinteis to have five cards of the same colour, which counts fifteen.Quatorzeis to have four cards of the same value (i.e.four knaves, aces, etc.), and counts fourteen.]

Quatorze

Avoir quinte et quatorze= To have the game in one’s own hand.[This phrase refers to terms used in the game of piquet.Quinteis to have five cards of the same colour, which counts fifteen.Quatorzeis to have four cards of the same value (i.e.four knaves, aces, etc.), and counts fourteen.]

Avoir quinte et quatorze= To have the game in one’s own hand.

[This phrase refers to terms used in the game of piquet.Quinteis to have five cards of the same colour, which counts fifteen.Quatorzeis to have four cards of the same value (i.e.four knaves, aces, etc.), and counts fourteen.]

QuatreIl se mettrait en quatre pour un ami= He would go through fire and water for a friend.Faire le diable à quatre= To kick up a terrible noise; To exert oneself to the utmost.[This expression originated in the time of the miracle plays, when four performers representedla grande diablerie, and less than fourla petite diablerie.]Entre quatre-z-yeux(fam.) = Between ourselves.On le tenait à quatre= It needed four men to hold him down.Il se tenait à quatre pour ne pas lui dire des injures= It was as much as he could do not to abuse him.Travailler comme quatre= To work like a nigger.

Quatre

Il se mettrait en quatre pour un ami= He would go through fire and water for a friend.Faire le diable à quatre= To kick up a terrible noise; To exert oneself to the utmost.[This expression originated in the time of the miracle plays, when four performers representedla grande diablerie, and less than fourla petite diablerie.]Entre quatre-z-yeux(fam.) = Between ourselves.On le tenait à quatre= It needed four men to hold him down.Il se tenait à quatre pour ne pas lui dire des injures= It was as much as he could do not to abuse him.Travailler comme quatre= To work like a nigger.

Il se mettrait en quatre pour un ami= He would go through fire and water for a friend.

Faire le diable à quatre= To kick up a terrible noise; To exert oneself to the utmost.

[This expression originated in the time of the miracle plays, when four performers representedla grande diablerie, and less than fourla petite diablerie.]

Entre quatre-z-yeux(fam.) = Between ourselves.

On le tenait à quatre= It needed four men to hold him down.

Il se tenait à quatre pour ne pas lui dire des injures= It was as much as he could do not to abuse him.

Travailler comme quatre= To work like a nigger.

Que*Ce que c’est que la vie!= What a strange thing life is! What poor mortals we are! (SeeCe.)Ses louanges ne laissent pas que de me faire plaisir= I cannot help feeling pleased at his kind words.

Que

*Ce que c’est que la vie!= What a strange thing life is! What poor mortals we are! (SeeCe.)Ses louanges ne laissent pas que de me faire plaisir= I cannot help feeling pleased at his kind words.

*Ce que c’est que la vie!= What a strange thing life is! What poor mortals we are! (SeeCe.)

Ses louanges ne laissent pas que de me faire plaisir= I cannot help feeling pleased at his kind words.

QuelconqueLa pièce n’est que quelconque= The piece (i.e.the play) is quite an ordinary one.

Quelconque

La pièce n’est que quelconque= The piece (i.e.the play) is quite an ordinary one.

QuenouilleC’est une famille où l’esprit est tombé en quenouille= In that family only the women are clever; In that family the brains are on the distaff side.

Quenouille

C’est une famille où l’esprit est tombé en quenouille= In that family only the women are clever; In that family the brains are on the distaff side.

QuerelleN’épousez pas sa querelle= Do not take up his quarrel.Ils veulent vider leur querelle= They want to fight it out.

Querelle

N’épousez pas sa querelle= Do not take up his quarrel.Ils veulent vider leur querelle= They want to fight it out.

N’épousez pas sa querelle= Do not take up his quarrel.

Ils veulent vider leur querelle= They want to fight it out.

QuérirIl serait bon à aller quérir la mort= He is very slow.

Quérir

Il serait bon à aller quérir la mort= He is very slow.

QuestionMettre en question= To call in question; To doubt.Mettre à la question= To put to the torture.Qu’il n’en soit plus question= Do not bother me about it any more; Let bygones be bygones. (SeeOublier.)

Question

Mettre en question= To call in question; To doubt.Mettre à la question= To put to the torture.Qu’il n’en soit plus question= Do not bother me about it any more; Let bygones be bygones. (SeeOublier.)

Mettre en question= To call in question; To doubt.

Mettre à la question= To put to the torture.

Qu’il n’en soit plus question= Do not bother me about it any more; Let bygones be bygones. (SeeOublier.)

QueueJ’ai fait queue au théâtre pendant une heure= I waited outside the theatre for an hour (before I could get in).On fait queue au théâtre= There is a crowd at the door of the theatre (waiting for admittance).À la queue gît le venin= The sting is in the tail.Aller à la queue leu-leu= To go in Indian file.[Leuwas the old French form ofloup, so the phrase means to walk as wolves do, one after the other.]Tenir la queue de la poêle= To be the leading spirit in an affair.

Queue

J’ai fait queue au théâtre pendant une heure= I waited outside the theatre for an hour (before I could get in).On fait queue au théâtre= There is a crowd at the door of the theatre (waiting for admittance).À la queue gît le venin= The sting is in the tail.Aller à la queue leu-leu= To go in Indian file.[Leuwas the old French form ofloup, so the phrase means to walk as wolves do, one after the other.]Tenir la queue de la poêle= To be the leading spirit in an affair.

J’ai fait queue au théâtre pendant une heure= I waited outside the theatre for an hour (before I could get in).

On fait queue au théâtre= There is a crowd at the door of the theatre (waiting for admittance).

À la queue gît le venin= The sting is in the tail.

Aller à la queue leu-leu= To go in Indian file.

[Leuwas the old French form ofloup, so the phrase means to walk as wolves do, one after the other.]

Tenir la queue de la poêle= To be the leading spirit in an affair.

QuiPour qui connaît= To any one who knows.Ils s’échappèrent qui par la porte, qui par les fenêtres= Some escaped through the door, others through the windows.*Qui s’excuse s’accuse= A guilty conscience needs no accuser.C’est à qui le fera= They all wish to do it; They vie with one another to do it. (SeeMieux.)

Qui

Pour qui connaît= To any one who knows.Ils s’échappèrent qui par la porte, qui par les fenêtres= Some escaped through the door, others through the windows.*Qui s’excuse s’accuse= A guilty conscience needs no accuser.C’est à qui le fera= They all wish to do it; They vie with one another to do it. (SeeMieux.)

Pour qui connaît= To any one who knows.

Ils s’échappèrent qui par la porte, qui par les fenêtres= Some escaped through the door, others through the windows.

*Qui s’excuse s’accuse= A guilty conscience needs no accuser.

C’est à qui le fera= They all wish to do it; They vie with one another to do it. (SeeMieux.)

QuiaÊtre réduit à quia= To be reduced to “because....”; To be nonplussed.

Quia

Être réduit à quia= To be reduced to “because....”; To be nonplussed.

QuitteMe voilà quitte envers lui= I owe him nothing now.Vous en êtes quitte à bon marché= You come off cheap.J’en ai été quitte pour la peur= I escaped with a good fright.J’irai, quitte à être grondé= I shall go, even if I am scolded; I shall go, and chance the scolding.

Quitte

Me voilà quitte envers lui= I owe him nothing now.Vous en êtes quitte à bon marché= You come off cheap.J’en ai été quitte pour la peur= I escaped with a good fright.J’irai, quitte à être grondé= I shall go, even if I am scolded; I shall go, and chance the scolding.

Me voilà quitte envers lui= I owe him nothing now.

Vous en êtes quitte à bon marché= You come off cheap.

J’en ai été quitte pour la peur= I escaped with a good fright.

J’irai, quitte à être grondé= I shall go, even if I am scolded; I shall go, and chance the scolding.

QuoiJ’ai de quoi payer= I have enough to pay.Il n’y a pas là de quoi pleurer= It is not worth crying about.Il n’y a pas de quoi rire= It is no laughing matter.Il n’y a pas de quoi(fam.) = Pray don’t mention it; There is no necessity to apologise. (SeeAvoir.)De quoi vous mêlez-vous?= What business is that of yours?Un je ne sais quoi= A “something” (I know not what).[Elle avait je ne sais quoi de charmant= She had a vague, indescribable charm.]C’est un filou, quoi!(pop.) = In a word, he’s a scamp.

Quoi

J’ai de quoi payer= I have enough to pay.Il n’y a pas là de quoi pleurer= It is not worth crying about.Il n’y a pas de quoi rire= It is no laughing matter.Il n’y a pas de quoi(fam.) = Pray don’t mention it; There is no necessity to apologise. (SeeAvoir.)De quoi vous mêlez-vous?= What business is that of yours?Un je ne sais quoi= A “something” (I know not what).[Elle avait je ne sais quoi de charmant= She had a vague, indescribable charm.]C’est un filou, quoi!(pop.) = In a word, he’s a scamp.

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

Il n’y a pas là de quoi pleurer= It is not worth crying about.

Il n’y a pas de quoi rire= It is no laughing matter.

Il n’y a pas de quoi(fam.) = Pray don’t mention it; There is no necessity to apologise. (SeeAvoir.)

De quoi vous mêlez-vous?= What business is that of yours?

Un je ne sais quoi= A “something” (I know not what).

[Elle avait je ne sais quoi de charmant= She had a vague, indescribable charm.]

C’est un filou, quoi!(pop.) = In a word, he’s a scamp.

RabaisVente au rabais= Sale at reduced prices; “Selling off.”

Rabais

Vente au rabais= Sale at reduced prices; “Selling off.”

RabattreRabattre le caquet à quelqu’un(pop.) = To take a person down a peg; To stop his jaw; To cut his cackle.

Rabattre

Rabattre le caquet à quelqu’un(pop.) = To take a person down a peg; To stop his jaw; To cut his cackle.

RadisIl n’a pas un radis(fam.) = He has not a brass farthing. (SeeLiard.)

Radis

Il n’a pas un radis(fam.) = He has not a brass farthing. (SeeLiard.)

RaillerieCela passe la raillerie= That is beyond a joke. (SeeEntendre.)

Raillerie

Cela passe la raillerie= That is beyond a joke. (SeeEntendre.)

RaisonIl n’entend pas raison là-dessus= He will not listen to reason on that point.Se faire raison à soi-même= To take the law into one’s own hands.Comme de raison= Rightly enough; As might be expected.Plus que de raison= More than is reasonable.Raison de plus= All the more reason.Avoir des raisons avec quelqu’un= To have words with any one; To quarrel with any one.Il faut se faire une raison= We must be guided by reason; We must look at things from a reasonable point of view.[E.g.not go on worrying after a great loss.]Donner raison à quelqu’un= To say any one is right; To give satisfaction to any one (either legally or by a duel).

Raison

Il n’entend pas raison là-dessus= He will not listen to reason on that point.Se faire raison à soi-même= To take the law into one’s own hands.Comme de raison= Rightly enough; As might be expected.Plus que de raison= More than is reasonable.Raison de plus= All the more reason.Avoir des raisons avec quelqu’un= To have words with any one; To quarrel with any one.Il faut se faire une raison= We must be guided by reason; We must look at things from a reasonable point of view.[E.g.not go on worrying after a great loss.]Donner raison à quelqu’un= To say any one is right; To give satisfaction to any one (either legally or by a duel).

Il n’entend pas raison là-dessus= He will not listen to reason on that point.

Se faire raison à soi-même= To take the law into one’s own hands.

Comme de raison= Rightly enough; As might be expected.

Plus que de raison= More than is reasonable.

Raison de plus= All the more reason.

Avoir des raisons avec quelqu’un= To have words with any one; To quarrel with any one.

Il faut se faire une raison= We must be guided by reason; We must look at things from a reasonable point of view.

[E.g.not go on worrying after a great loss.]

Donner raison à quelqu’un= To say any one is right; To give satisfaction to any one (either legally or by a duel).

RancartOn l’a mis au rancart= He has been put on the shelf.[Also:Il est sous la remise.]

Rancart

On l’a mis au rancart= He has been put on the shelf.[Also:Il est sous la remise.]

On l’a mis au rancart= He has been put on the shelf.

[Also:Il est sous la remise.]

Rang*Tel qui brille au second rang s’éclipse au premier= A good subordinate often makes a bad leader.

Rang

*Tel qui brille au second rang s’éclipse au premier= A good subordinate often makes a bad leader.

RangerIl s’est rangé= He has settled down (after sowing his wild oats).

Ranger

Il s’est rangé= He has settled down (after sowing his wild oats).

RareVous devenez bien rare= You are quite a stranger.

Rare

Vous devenez bien rare= You are quite a stranger.

RaseurC’est un raseur(fam.) = He is a bore.[Une bassinoire= a passive bore.]

Raseur

C’est un raseur(fam.) = He is a bore.[Une bassinoire= a passive bore.]

C’est un raseur(fam.) = He is a bore.

[Une bassinoire= a passive bore.]

RatIl est gueux comme un rat d’église= He is as poor as a church mouse.

Rat

Il est gueux comme un rat d’église= He is as poor as a church mouse.

RateIl ne se foule pas la rate(pop.) = He does not overwork himself; He takes things easily.[Also:Il ne se foule pas le poignet.]Cela lui désopilera la rate= That will cheer him up.

Rate

Il ne se foule pas la rate(pop.) = He does not overwork himself; He takes things easily.[Also:Il ne se foule pas le poignet.]Cela lui désopilera la rate= That will cheer him up.

Il ne se foule pas la rate(pop.) = He does not overwork himself; He takes things easily.

[Also:Il ne se foule pas le poignet.]

Cela lui désopilera la rate= That will cheer him up.

RâtelierIl mange à plus d’un râtelier= He has more than one string to his bow; He gains money from different sources.

Râtelier

Il mange à plus d’un râtelier= He has more than one string to his bow; He gains money from different sources.

Rattraper*Bien fin qui me rattrapera= Once bit, twice shy; They won’t catch me doing that again.

Rattraper

*Bien fin qui me rattrapera= Once bit, twice shy; They won’t catch me doing that again.

ReboursIl prend les choses à rebours= He misconstrues everything.

Rebours

Il prend les choses à rebours= He misconstrues everything.

RebrousseÀ rebrousse poil= Against the grain; (To rub) the wrong way.

Rebrousse

À rebrousse poil= Against the grain; (To rub) the wrong way.

ReconnaîtreJe vous reconnais bien là= That is just like you.Je ne m’y reconnais plus= I don’t know where I am, what I am about; I am quite at sea.

Reconnaître

Je vous reconnais bien là= That is just like you.Je ne m’y reconnais plus= I don’t know where I am, what I am about; I am quite at sea.

Je vous reconnais bien là= That is just like you.

Je ne m’y reconnais plus= I don’t know where I am, what I am about; I am quite at sea.

ReculerIl a reculé pour mieux sauter= 1. He waited for something better. 2. (ironic.) He avoided a small evil to fall into a greater.[Compare:Mieux reculer que mal assaillir.]Marcher à reculons= To walk backwards.

Reculer

Il a reculé pour mieux sauter= 1. He waited for something better. 2. (ironic.) He avoided a small evil to fall into a greater.[Compare:Mieux reculer que mal assaillir.]Marcher à reculons= To walk backwards.

Il a reculé pour mieux sauter= 1. He waited for something better. 2. (ironic.) He avoided a small evil to fall into a greater.

[Compare:Mieux reculer que mal assaillir.]

Marcher à reculons= To walk backwards.

RedireIl trouve toujours à redire= He is always finding fault.Il n’y a rien à redire à cela= There is no fault to be found with that; That is quite all right.

Redire

Il trouve toujours à redire= He is always finding fault.Il n’y a rien à redire à cela= There is no fault to be found with that; That is quite all right.

Il trouve toujours à redire= He is always finding fault.

Il n’y a rien à redire à cela= There is no fault to be found with that; That is quite all right.

RéflexionRéflexion faite= After due reflection; On second thoughts.

Réflexion

Réflexion faite= After due reflection; On second thoughts.

RefrainC’est le refrain de la ballade= It is the old story over again.[“C’est toujours le refrain qu’ils font à leur ballade.”—Régnier,Sat.i.]

Refrain

C’est le refrain de la ballade= It is the old story over again.[“C’est toujours le refrain qu’ils font à leur ballade.”—Régnier,Sat.i.]

C’est le refrain de la ballade= It is the old story over again.

[“C’est toujours le refrain qu’ils font à leur ballade.”—Régnier,Sat.i.]

RefusCela n’est pas de refus(fam.) = That is very acceptable; I won’t say no to that.

Refus

Cela n’est pas de refus(fam.) = That is very acceptable; I won’t say no to that.

Refuser*Qui refuse muse=“He who will not when he may,When he will he shall have nay.”

Refuser

*Qui refuse muse=“He who will not when he may,When he will he shall have nay.”

RegarderN’y regardez pas de si près= Do not be so particular.Cela ne me regarde pas= That is not my business; That does not concern me.J’y regarderai à deux fois= I shall think twice before doing it.

Regarder

N’y regardez pas de si près= Do not be so particular.Cela ne me regarde pas= That is not my business; That does not concern me.J’y regarderai à deux fois= I shall think twice before doing it.

N’y regardez pas de si près= Do not be so particular.

Cela ne me regarde pas= That is not my business; That does not concern me.

J’y regarderai à deux fois= I shall think twice before doing it.

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

Régler

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

ReinNous poursuivîmes l’ennemi l’épée dans les reins= We followed the enemy close at his heels.Il s’est donné un tour de reins= He sprained his back.Il a les reins solides= (lit.) He is strong; (fig.) He has a long purse.

Rein

Nous poursuivîmes l’ennemi l’épée dans les reins= We followed the enemy close at his heels.Il s’est donné un tour de reins= He sprained his back.Il a les reins solides= (lit.) He is strong; (fig.) He has a long purse.

Nous poursuivîmes l’ennemi l’épée dans les reins= We followed the enemy close at his heels.

Il s’est donné un tour de reins= He sprained his back.

Il a les reins solides= (lit.) He is strong; (fig.) He has a long purse.

RéjouirC’est un gros réjoui= He is a big jolly fellow.

Réjouir

C’est un gros réjoui= He is a big jolly fellow.

Remède*À chose faite point de remède= What is done cannot be undone.[“Factum est illud: fieri infectum non potest.”—Plautus.]

Remède

*À chose faite point de remède= What is done cannot be undone.[“Factum est illud: fieri infectum non potest.”—Plautus.]

*À chose faite point de remède= What is done cannot be undone.

[“Factum est illud: fieri infectum non potest.”—Plautus.]

RemontrerGros Jean qui en remontre à son curé= Hodge tries to teach the Parson how to preach; He teaches his grandmother to suck eggs.

Remontrer

Gros Jean qui en remontre à son curé= Hodge tries to teach the Parson how to preach; He teaches his grandmother to suck eggs.

RemporterIl a remporté la victoire= He carried the day.

Remporter

Il a remporté la victoire= He carried the day.

Renard*Renard qui dort la matinéeN’a pas la gueule emplumée=’Tis the early bird that catches the worm.

Renard

*Renard qui dort la matinéeN’a pas la gueule emplumée=’Tis the early bird that catches the worm.

RenchérirIl renchérit sur tout ce qu’il entend dire= He caps every story he hears told.

Renchérir

Il renchérit sur tout ce qu’il entend dire= He caps every story he hears told.

RencontrerLes beaux esprits se rencontrent= Great wits jump together.[When two persons happen to say the same thing at the same time.]

Rencontrer

Les beaux esprits se rencontrent= Great wits jump together.[When two persons happen to say the same thing at the same time.]

Les beaux esprits se rencontrent= Great wits jump together.

[When two persons happen to say the same thing at the same time.]

RenfortPour renfort de potage= Into the bargain; In addition.[Molière,Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, iii. 3.]

Renfort

Pour renfort de potage= Into the bargain; In addition.[Molière,Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, iii. 3.]

Pour renfort de potage= Into the bargain; In addition.

[Molière,Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, iii. 3.]

RengaineC’est toujours la même rengaine(fam.) = It is always the same old story.

Rengaine

C’est toujours la même rengaine(fam.) = It is always the same old story.

Renommée*Bonne renommée vaut mieux que ceinture dorée= A good name is better than riches. (SeeCeinture.)

Renommée

*Bonne renommée vaut mieux que ceinture dorée= A good name is better than riches. (SeeCeinture.)

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