ne pas envoyer dire

The French expression “ne pas envoyer dire” (also written as “ne pas l’envoyer dire”), means “to say something to someone, very directly, bluntly, or unceremoniously.”

Example of usage

  • “C’est qu’il n’est pas content ! Non, foutre ! Il n’est pas content, et il ne l’envoie pas dire !” (It’s because he is not happy. No, damn! He isn’t happy, and he makes no bones about it).
  • “La gosse n’aime pas ses galons et elle ne lui envoie pas dire” (the little girl doesn’t like her braids and she says so, in no uncertain terms)
  • “Tu sais ce que je suis et ta mère ne me l’a pas envoyé dire, tout à l’heure” (You know what I am, and your mother told me without pulling any punches, just now)

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • tirer

    The French verb “tirer” means “to draw” or “to pull,” but it has many additional meanings. It is a widely used verb, as well as being the basis of other related verbs such as attirer, étirer, retirer and soutirer. Multiple Meanings of “Tirer”: Etymology The verb “tirer” comes from the Latin verb “tirare,” which means…

  • Boire en Suisse

    “Boire en Suisse” means to drink alone, to eat alone, to do something without inviting friends or even to do something in Switzerland. Literally it means to drink in Switzerland, but “en Suisse” can either mean “in Switzerland” or “like a Swiss person.” It comes from an expression dating back to around 1800. This was…