Like French, English is full of expressions called “idioms”. And some really … far away. Let’s do a check-in.
“Break a leg!
“A leg dress” is one of the most used expressions on the other side of the channel. Strange, how to wish someone “good luck”! However, the purpose of the proverb is to really show its support, especially for theatrical actors before a show.
“It’s an hour”
Its direct translation says: “It strikes an hour”; In French: “It tells me something”. In other words, when a Briton replies “it’s an hour for me” when you tell him you’ve already met, you can trust that he will remember you for a while!
“Get the cat out of the bag”
How do you make this list without talking about this “idium” used in the United Kingdom … a single expression called “sell wig” is here!
“Something to do for Britain”
Without any superiority, “do something for Britain” means “do 200% of things”, “do what you can”. Great Britain … what could be more honorable than “doing something” for this country?
“Cats and dogs rain”
Who has never heard the expression “cats and dogs are raining” in the kingdom of women? According to legend, there are many rainy days on this side of La Manche … In France, we use “rain”, the English say “today in London, cats and dogs rain”. Can you imagine cats and dogs falling from the sky?
“Spend a penny”
If this phrase means “spend a penny”, it is really a decent version of “I have to urinate”.
“A frog in your throat”
It means “having a cat in your throat”. But in the United Kingdom, there is no cat: it is the frog that makes your voice hoarse. After all, were the French “frog eaters”? Seriously?
“Be as cool as a cucumber”
Do you think cucumber is cold? Because as far as a UK is concerned, if you are “as cold as a cucumber” it means you are calm.
“Create a storm in the tea cup”
Everyone has their own look: a Frenchman says “You make a lot of cheese!” “, A Briton shouts:” You make thunderstorms in a cup of tea! “Dogs are not cats …
“Don’t teach grandma to suck eggs”
Last but not least … British grandmothers are not professional egg eaters. In French, we have a colorful proverb to express this idea: “What we learn to make a face is not for the old monkey”.
Now you are ready to mix as much as possible with the kingdom of His majesty!
London News not to miss anything, Subscribe to our newsletter in two clicks !
“Beeraholic. Friend of animals everywhere. Evil web scholar. Zombie maven.”
More Stories
In Walloons, students have had no English lessons for months
A fun and fast way to teach English to children
Arsenal, City, Liverpool: English big names in Brexit mode – England – European Cups