Written for more advanced students of French, this delightfully illustrated book teaches you figurative expressions to increase your enjoyment of the French language. Discover the origin of certain expressions and a little about French society and culture. Learn from the examples of usage and test your new knowledge in the quizzes.
eBook £3.49 / $4.99 / €4.69 Paperback £8.99 / $13.69 / €12.99“C’est magnifique!”
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You will find an example of usage for each idiom along with a translation into English.
Nous perdons notre temps sur cette cause perdue et nous avons d’autres chats à fouetter. Passons maintenant à autre chose.
We are wasting our time on this lost cause and we have other fish to fry. Let’s move onto something else.
je me coucherai moins bête ce soir ; je mourrai moins bête – you learn something new every day; you live and learn
Literally: I will go to bed less stupid tonight; I will die less stupid
The French love to play on words and knowing some of these common expressions will take you to a new level of understanding.
connaître ou savoir sur le bout du doigt ou des doigts – to know off pat or backwards or inside out
Literally: to know on the tip of the finger or the fingers
“Sur le bout des doigts” – a film made in 2001.
peigner la girafe – to waste one’s time doing some pointless task or other; to do nothing useful
Literally: to comb the giraffe
Many idioms originate in famous fables. Find out which stories are at the heart of the French language.
se faire rouler dans la farine – to be deceived or duped; to be had; to have the wool pulled over one’s eyes
Literally: to have oneself rolled in flour
There are ten quiz sections – each designed to make you think and maybe catch you out!
J’ai dû apprendre mon métier sur …
a) le tas.✓
b) les bras. X
c) le chat. X
Knowledge; Being resourceful and making the most of things; Diplomacy and decision making
First steps or going for it; Wasting time and taking it easy at work
Working hard
Problems; Prioritizing
Professions and careers; Going well
Help and indebtedness; Easy work
Working hours and habits; Having influence or power; Nasty business
Struggling; Giving in; Failure
Disciplining and sacking; Rough manner; Doing business together
Seeing clearly and getting perspective; Resolving problems and overcoming difficulties; Tireless workers
