Haut comme trois pommes
“Haut comme trois pommes” is a French expression meaning “Knee high to a grasshopper,” ie very small, tiny or very young. Literally it means “as tall as three apples.” Its origin is unknown but its meaning is quite clear.
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Faire vinaigre
“Faire vinaigre” means literally to “make vinegar.” What could “make vinegar” possibly mean? It means to hurry up, to go faster. It’s also used by kids playing jump rope to indicate that they want the rope holders to turn the rope faster. The jump rope usage gives a clue as to the origin of this…
Ne tirez pas sur le pianiste !
“Ne tirez pas sur le pianiste !” literally means “Don’t shoot the pianist!” So what does it actually mean? It means to be indulgent towards someone of good will, to not accuse or attack someone who is a scapegoat, rather than the person really responsible. This expression comes from Oscar Wilde, who wrote a booklet…
appeler un chat un chat
“Appeler un chat un chat” is a French saying that literally means “to call a cat a cat.” It means to call things by their name, to be open and direct, to not mince one’s words, not to fear calling things by their names, to avoid euphemisms. The origin of this expression is unknown. Its…
mettre de l’eau dans son vin
The French saying “mettre de l’eau dans son vin” means literally “to put some water in one’s wine.” It means to be less ambitious, to moderate one’s claims or to moderate one’s demands. It comes from the practice of moderating the intensity of wine by adding water to it. The expression dates back at least to…
tout baigne
“Tout baigne” is a French saying that literally means “everything bathes.” This conjures up visions of a perfect summer beach setting, where some people lay in the sun and others splash about in the water. The meaning of the saying seems to confirm this, because it means “everything is going well, it’s happening for the best,…
donner un coup de pouce
“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….