“Donner un coup de pouce” is a French saying that literally means “to give a push of the thumb.” It really means a rapid and audacious attack, a smart way to proceed, some momentary help, or just help in general.
The origin of this idiom is unknown. Its first date of use is also unknown.
Similar English expressions include “nudge,” “to lend a hand,” and “to give a boost.”
“à huis clos” is a French saying that means in private, with all doors closed, in secret. It is an expression dating from the middle of the 16th century, meaning “with doors closed.” “Huis” is an old 11th century word for door, now replaced by the word “porte.” The original word for door was “us,”…
“Faire son miel de” is a French saying whose literal translation is “to make one’s honey from.” It means to make a profit from, or to take advantage of a situation to earn a lot of money. It comes from the activity of bees, who are known not only for their industriousness and hard work, but…
The French phrase “il faut que” means “it’s necessary that.” It is used to express obligation and necessity. Unlike the phrase “il faut” (which is used without “que” and with a verb in the infinitive), “il faut que” specifies exactly who should do something. “Il faut que” is always accompanied by a second verb in…
The French expression “le roi n’est pas son cousin” translates literally as “the king is not his cousin.” What it really means is “he is happier than a king,” or “he is almost as happy as a king,” depending on your interpretation. This saying can be understood in one of two ways. Firstly, it can…
The verb “ouvrir” is a regular -ir verb, and its conjugation follows a predictable pattern. Here is how it is conjugated in the present tense: Similar Conjugation Patterns The verbs “rouvrir,” “découvrir,” “recouvrir,” “offrir,” “souffrir,” and “couvrir” share a similar conjugation pattern with “ouvrir.” These verbs are also regular -ir verbs. By recognizing this pattern,…
The French idiom “faire long feu” literally translates as “to make long fire.” What it really means is “to drag on,” “to not have the desired effect,” “to last longer than expected” or “to miss your goal.” It comes from the era of of muzzle-loading rifles, before the invention of waterproof cartridges that enclosed the…