COMMON WORDS, USED UNCOMMONLY

COMMON WORDS, USED UNCOMMONLY…

For example, French people use the following common words, in quite an uncommon way. Firstly did you know that a broom is a common utensil that you use to sweep. However, what you may not know is that it can also be used to describe someone, who is incredibly stupid!

UN BALAI – A BRUSH/A BROOM

• Balayer – To sweep.
• être con comme un balai – To be incredibly stupid.
• Rôtir le balai – To burn the candle at both ends.
• Balayer quelqu’un – To dismiss someone.
• Donner un coup de balai – To sweep.
• On ne peut pas le bilayer du revers de la main – We cannot sweep it aside.
• Balayer devant notre porte – To search or examine our conscience.

Bowl

UN BOL – A BOWL

• J’en ai ras le bol – I am fed up.
• Un coup de bol – A stroke of luck.
• Avoir du bol – To be lucky.

Table

UNE TABLE – A TABLE…

• Avoir le dos au feu et le ventre au table – To have one’s back to the fire and one’s stomach to the table – to be comfortable.
• Faire table rase – To start from scratch.
• La table de la cuisine – The kitchen table.
• A coffee table – Une table basse.
• Une table de matières – A table of contents.
• A discussion table – Une table ronde.

Dream

UN RÊVE – A DREAM

• Rêver – to dream.
• Une Chimère – A pipe dream.
• Une équipe de rêve – A dream team.
• Un métier de rêve – A dream job.
• Elle passe son temps à rêver –  She spends her time dreaming.
• Briser un rêve – to shatter a dream.
• Même pas en rêve – No way!

Angel

UN ANGE – AN ANGEL

• Être aux anges – To be in 7^th Heaven.
• Un ange passe – Expression used when there is a long silence in a gathering.
• Tu es un ange – You are an angel.
• Un ange gardien – A guardian angel.

French Annual Plans