What does the French idiom “Revenons à nos moutons !” mean? It means, “Let’s get back to the topic,” or “let’s get back on track.” It dates back to 1464, when it was first found in a comedy of the Late Middle Ages. Literally, however, it means, “Let’s come back to our sheep.” Learn more amusing expressions like this one when you book an online lesson with Fast French.
“En catimini” is a French expression that means furtively, stealthily, on the sly or discreetly. It dates back to the second half of the 14th century. The word “catimini” is often linked to the Greek word “katamenia” which means menstruation. The idea being that women of the era kept their menstrual status largely to themselves….
Common French Phrases and Expressions Relating to God The French language, deeply influenced by its Christian heritage, is rich in expressions invoking God. These phrases are used both in religious and secular contexts, often expressing gratitude, fear, hope, or uncertainty. Here are some common expressions, their meanings, and their usage. 1. Merci Dieu ! –…
The French saying “pendre la crémaillère” translates literally as “to hang the rack.” What it means is “to celebrate moving into a new home.” The idiom dates back to the 16th century, when cooking was done in the hearth. A toothed or notched bar (known as a “rack” in English) enabled the cooking pot to…
“L’oeil de Moscou” is a French idiom that literally means “the eye of Moscow.” It refers to an organisation or an individual who spies on other people for the benefit of others. It also refers to technical equipment used to spy on people. It dates back to the era of the USSR, the Union of…
The French saying “se brosser” literally means “to brush yourself.” What it really means is to be obliged to do without something you desire, to make a noise, to rummage around, or even just to wash yourself. It comes from a French idiom “faire brosse,” which meant to miss or to fail. This dates back…
“avoir du sang de navet” means literally “to have turnip blood.” It really means to lack vigor or courage. The inside of a turnip is white and its juice is also white. Red blood is strong, courageous blood. It gets its redness from the iron it contains. So to have white blood, like the inside of…