CORNELL UNIVERSITY THE FOUNDED BY ROSWELL P. FLOWER for the use of the N. Y. STATE VETERINARY COLLEGE 1897 Cornell University Library PC 2460.B63 Progressive French Idioms, 3 1924 000 263 370 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924000263370 Tbeatb'g fiDot)ern Xanguage Series PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS COMPILED BY R. DE BLANCHAUD L.-es-L. The Central School, Aberdeen D. C. HEATH & CO,, PUBLISHERS BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO \\)o. J6^ ^3 2 J 1 PC 563 Printed in U. S. A. PREFACE This little volume of " Progressive French Idioms " claims neither to be exhaustive nor even very highly advanced ; it is meant to be really practical and useful. Any expressions, idioms, or proverbs which might be unknown to an ordinary educated Frenchman have been omitted. An attempt has been made at some division of the matter according to its relative importance, but, of course, opinions will differ as to this, and the sections are bound to overlap to some extent. Section A contains under the name of Grammatical Idioms tj^ical examples of most of the points in which French and English grammar do not agree. It does not go into gram- matical oddities or moot questionsdebated amongst scholars. A pupil well drilled in this section — that is, able to construct sentences readily and intelligently on the model of those given — would actually possess as much practical knowledge of grammar as is necessary and sufficient to proceed with the study of French, It may here be remarked that lack of fluency in conversation does not as a rule arise from want of knowledge in advanced grammar, or even from a deficient vocabulary, but rather from want of readiness in the use of those elementary constructions of French grammar which are quite easy and natural to natives. Until the pupil is perfectly at home in the use of the personal pronouns, the conversational tense, the idiomatic auxiliaries, etc., no fluency in speaking is possible. iv PREFACE The next requirement is an equally ready knowledge of a number of idiomatic turns and expressions which every Frenchman, be he educated or not, uses constantly. A knowledge of these is absolutely essential to speaking and writing French as it is spoken and written by French people. These are given in Section B. Section C is concerned with idioms more literary than those in Section B, but by no means imcommon. They are the kind of expressions and constructions constantly found in the books of good writers, or used by people who speak well. Most of them will be required in the transla- tion into French of an ordinary English passage, and conse- quently they must not only be understood but learned and used by more advanced pupils having to translate English into French or write original composition. In Section D are included idioms difficult of use for Eng- lish pupils, but, generally speaking, easy and perfectly well known to any educated Frenchman. Many are idioms which a foreigner is apt to use incorrectly or in the wrong place. Owing to their constant occurrence in French books the pupil must know their meaning, but should not as a rule be advised or encouraged to use them imtil he has by a larger intercourse with French writers or French people obtained a deeper understanding of the genius of the language. In this section the French is given first. Section E contains a number of trite and stereotyped similes, most of them having now lost their original wit or sarcasm, but which are still used everywhere by everybody. The list could easily have been extended and might have been interesting as sometimes giving curious illustrations of the difference in the respective characters of the two peoples. In Section F some well-known proverbs are given with PREFACE V English equivalents. The list does not go beyond such sayings as everybody uses and quotes freely in France. For some there is an acknowledged rendering, sometimes perhaps not very accurate, for others a somewhat awk- ward translation has to be resorted to. Indeed, as the inter- course between France and Britain increases, not a few seem now to admit of a literal translation. In the Appendix are given (A) examples of the most common verbs which are not constructed with the pre- positions their equivalents take in English ; (B) Sentences illustrative of the meaning and use of some of the most important paronyms, especially in such combinations of words as may lead the unwary pupil into awkward mistakes. R. B. CONTENTS SECTION A PAGE GRAMMATICAL IDIOMS ..... o I SECTION B ELEMENTARY IDIOMS ..... v 8 SECTION C COMMON IDIOMS ....... 22 SECTION D ADVANCED IDIOMS ...... 48 SECTION E SOME COMMON PROVERBS ..... 77 SECTION F SOME COMMON SIMILES . .... 85 APPENDIX A CONSTRUCTION OF SOME COMMON VERBS ... 88 APPENDIX B PARONYMS ....... 94 NOTES 117 vii Progressive French Idioms SECTION A Grammaticai, Idioms Men love freedom. He knows German and . French. Copper and iron are metals. We live in Paris. He went to France. We are going to America. He has left for South America. He earns ten francs a week. This wine costs six francs a bottle. She has blue eyes. She has broken her arm. Most people. Half the town. One hundred, one thousand pounds. One million francs. Much, enough money. Captain Smith. He is French. He is a Frenchman. He was called the Great, a name he did not deserve. Les hommes aiment la liberte. II salt I'allemand et le frangais. I,e cuivre et le fer sont des metaux. Nous habitons a Paris. II est alle en France. Nous allons en Amerique. II est parti pour I'Amerique du sud. II gagne dix francs par semaine. Ce vin coute six francs la bouteille. Ella a les yeux bleus, Elle s'est casse le bras. Iva plupart des gens. La moitie de la ville. Cent, mille livres. Un million de francs. Beaucoup d', assez d'argent. Le capitaine Smith. II est fran9ais. C'est un Fran9ais. II fut appele le Grand, nom qu'il ne meritait pas. PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS He was disguised as a beggar. A glass of wine. A wine glass. James with the long nose. He speaks with fluency. He speaks with remarkable fluency. Charles the Fitst, Charles the Third. I^ittle George. I shall go to I^yons on Thursday. I go to the market on Tuesdays. Good and bad luck. A strange and lucky coin- cidence. We spent the evening with the Duvals. Dark blue dresses. Nothing, something good. The same king, the very king, the king himself. It is ten o'clock, a quarter to four, a quarter past five, half past six. Eleven o'clock has just struck. This door is ten feet high by four wide. The wall is twenty feet long. The river is thirty feet deep. II etait deguise en mendiant. Un verre de vin. Un verre a vin. Jacques au long nez. II parle avec facilite. II parle avec une remar- quable facilite. Charles Premier, Charles Trois. Le petit Georges. J'irai a Lyon jeudi. Je vais au marche le mardi. La bonne et la mauvaise chance. Une etrange et heureuse coincidence. Nous avons passe la soiree chez les Duval. Des robes bleu fonce. Rien de, quelque chose de bon. Le meme roi, le roi meme, le roi lui-meme. II est dix heures, quatre heures moins un (le) quart, cinq heures et quart, six heures et demie. Onze heures viennent de sonner. Cette porte a dix pieds de haut (de hauteur) sur quatre de large (de lar- geur) Le mur a vingt pieds de long (de longueur). La riviere a trente pieds de profondeur. PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS This board is two inches thick. What a beautiful landscape ! These flowers smell good. His nephew and niece came with her. His Majesty was sitting in an arm-chair. The people know their rights. The more he learns the more he wants to learn. He is the best player I know. You are taller than I thought. She is the best pupil in the^ school. The blind man's dog. Give it to me. Give it to him. Do not give it to us. Do not give them to her. He has not given it to him. He has not given them to her. Has he given it to him ? Has she given them to you ? Had you not given them to them ? Have you not given it to him ? Would you not have sent her some ? You have given her some. Send them there. Do not send her there. He has not given you any. Has he not given you many ? Cette planche a deux pouces d'epaisseur. Quel beau paysage ! Ces fleurs sentent bon. Son neveu et sa niece sont venus avec elle. Sa Majeste etait assise dans un fauteuil. Le peuple connait ses droits. Plus il apprend plus il veut apprendre. C'est le meilleur joueur que je connaisse. Vous etes plus grand que je ne croyais. C'est la meilleure eleve de I'ecole. I,e chien de I'aveugle. Donnez-le-moi. Donnez-le-lui. Ne nous le donnez pas. Ne les lui donnez pas. II ne le lui a pas donne. II ne les lui a pas donnes. l,e lui a-t-il donne ? Vous les a-t-elle donnes ? Ne les leur aviez-vous pas donnes ? Ne le lui avez-vous pas donne ? Ne lui en auriez-vous pas envoye ? Vous lui en avez donne. Envoyez-les-y. Ne I'y envoyez pas. II ne vous en a pas donne. Ne vous en a-t-il pas donne beaucoup ? PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS He has given me five. I shall send you some there. Go there, give some. A few books, few books. A little cheese. Are you a princess ? I am. Are you the princess ? I am. I shall do it, if you wish. I like this country ; I ad- mire its institutions I like this country ; its institutions are admirable. Do not trust him. We speak of him. We speak of it. There was a book in it. It is useless to do this. Do not do this, it is useless. It is we, it is you, it is they. This book is mine. He is a friend of mine. I have a house of my own. What is f rue. What I know. What I am speaking of. What I am playing with. What pen do you want ? Which of these two pens do you give me ? What do you want ? What are you speaking of ? What are you playing with ? II m'en a donne cinq. Je vous y en enverrai. Vas-y, donnes-en. Quelques livres, peudelivres. Un peu de fromage. ]&tes-vous princesse ? Je le suis. £;tes-vous la princesse ? Je la suis. Je le ferai, si vous le desirez. J'aime ce paj's; j'en ad- mire les institutions. J'aime ce pays; ses institu- tions sont admirables. Ne vous fiez pas a lui. Nous parlous de lui. Nous en parlons. II y avait un livre dedans, {or simply) II y avait un livre. II est inutile de faire cela. Ne faites pas cela, c'est inutile. C'est nous, c'est vous, ce sont eux. Ce livre est a moi. C'est un de mes amis. J'ai une maison a moi. Ce qui est vrai. Ce que je sais. Ce dont je parle. Ce avec quoi je joue. Quelle plume voulez-vous ? Daquelle de ces deux plumes me donnez-vous ? Que voulez-vous ? De quoi parlez-vous ? Avec quoi jouez-vous ? PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS Who comes ? To whom do you speak ? Whom did you come with ? The friend with whom I came. The forest through which we passed. Whose hat is this ? Give me this, keep that. Give me this book, keep that book. Give me this one (book), keep that one. I have that of my brother, my brother's (book). I have lost the one you lent me. How good you are ! What a number of soldiers ! He gambles, which surprises me. Some fifty horses. Whatever books you read. However good the books are which you read. Whatever the books are which you have bought. Everyone for himself. He speaks for himself. Each must have his book. Each pupil must have his book. Some say so. Some philosophers think so. I am right, wrong, hungry, cold, warm, ashamed, afraid. Qui vient ? A qui parlez-vous ? Avec qui etes-vous venu ? I, 'ami avec qui {or lequel) je suis venu. L,a foret par laquelle nous sommes passes. A qui est ce chapeau ? Donnez-moi ceci, gardez cela. Donnez-moi ce livre-ci, gar- dez ce livre-la. Donnez-moi celui-ci, gardez celui-la. J'ai celui de mon frere. J'ai perdu celui que vous m'avez prete. Que vous etes bon ! Que de soldats ! II joue, ce qui me surprend. Quelque cinquante chevaux. Quelques livres que vous lisiez. Quelque bons que soient les livres que vous lisez. Quels que soient les livres que vous avez achetes. Chacun pour soi. II parle pour lui. Chacun doit avoir son livre. Chaque eleve doit avoir son livre. Quelques-uns le disent. Quelques philosophes le pensent. J'ai raison, tort, faim, froid, chaud, honte, peur. PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS My hands are cold. The house is cold. I have had a pair of shoes made. Send for the doctor. Send for him. I made her sing. I made her sing a hymn. I have just seen him. You must do it. You must have done it. You ought to do it. You ought to have done it. You may go now. Do you not wish he may succeed ? He would do it if he could. He would not (he refused to) do it. You will have to come. You are to be punished. They want money. He longs to see her. Ten years ago. I have been ten years in Scotland. He had been three months absent when his brother came. How long have you been in London ? If he should come. J'ai froid aux mains. La maison est froide. Je me suis fait faire une paire de souliers. Envoyezchercherlemedecin. Envoyez-le chercher. Je la fis chanter. Je lui fis chanter un cantique. Je viens de le voir. Vous devez, il vous faut le faire. Vous avez du le faire. Vous devriez le faire. Vous auriez du le faire. Vous pouvez partir main- tenant. Ne desirez-vous pas qu'il reussisse ? II le ferait s'il le pouvait. II n'a pas voulu le faire. Vous aurez a, il vous faudra venir. Vous devez etre puni. II leur faut de 1' argent. II lui tarde de la voir. II y a dix ans. II ;^ a dix ans que je suis en ficosse {or Je suis en Ecosse depuis dix ans). II y avait trois mois qu'il etait absent {or, II etait absent depuis trois mois) quand son frere arriva. Depuis quand etes-vous a Londres ? S'il vient, s'il venait. {Never s'il viendrait !) PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS As soon as he comes let me know. Do as you please. He would often take a walk in the evening. After writing the letter he took up a book. Without knowing it. I think I am right. I think he is right. I wish him to come. He ordered the prisoner to be brought before him. He ordered the prisoner to stand up. I am told, I am ordered, I am forbidden, etc. Whether he comes or writes, we shall soon hear of him. t am afraid he may fail. I am not afraid he will fail. I am afraid he will not come. I doubt whether that is true. I do not doubt that is true. I shall do it without his knowing it. They have often written long letters to each other. If you come and he hears of it. Aussitot qu'il arrivera, faites- le-moi savoir. Faites comme il vous plaira. II faisait souvent une pro- menade dans la soiree. Apres avoir ecrit la lettre il prit un livre. Sans le savoir. Je crois avoir raison. Je crois qu'il a raison. Je desire qu'il vienne. II ordonna que le prisonnier fut amene devant lui. II ordonna au prisonnier de se lever. On me dit, on m'ordonne, on me defend, etc. Qu'il vienne ou qu'il ecrive, nous aureus bientot de ses uouvelles. J'ai peur qu'il n'echoue. Je n'ai pas peur qu'il echoue. Je crains qu'il ne vienne pas. Je doute que cela soit vrai. Je ne doute pas que cela ne soit vrai. Je le ferai sans qu'il le sache. lis se sont souvent ecrit de longues lettres. Si vous venez et qu'il I'apprenne. SECTION B Elementary Idioms At first. To go for. To send for. To come for. A kick. A brushing. A blow with a stick. A gust of wind. A shot. A fluke. A rash deed. The finishing stroke. An apoplectic fit. A bite. Early. Just now. That's right ! In turns. At random. In broad daylight. In the open air. In any case. In the English, French fashion. All over the town. In summer, in winter, in autumn, in spring. From morning till evening. Under these circumstances. To be of age, under age. D'abord, tout d'abord, Aller chercher. Envoyer chercher. Venir chercher. Un coup de pied. Un coup de brosse. Un coup de baton. Un coup de vent. Un coup de feu. Un coup de hasard. Un coup de tete. Le coup de grace. Un coup de sang. Un coup de dent. De bonne heure. Tout a I'heure. A la bonne heure ! Tour a tour. Au hasard. En plein jour. En plein air. En tout cas. A I'anglaise, a la fran9aise Par toute la ville. En ete, en hiver, en automne, au printemps. Du matin au soir. Dans ces circonstances. Eltre majeur, mineur. 8 PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS On land and sea. Inside out. Against the grain, the wrong way. Orally, viva voce. Look out ! A gas burner Folding doors. A slip A misprint. To be absent-minded. Twenty years ago. My watch is ten minutes fast, slow. To lock. To be angry. Ready money. To burst out laughing. To burst into sobs. To melt, burst into tears. To get the better of someone. To go straight on. To turn to the left, to the right. This book is mine. It is my turn to play. It is windy, foggy, dusty, it thunders. The sun shines. The weather is fine. To-day week. Monday fortnight. To be cross. At any time. Anywhere. Anyone. Anything. Sur terre et sur mer. A I'envers. A rebours. De vive voix. Gare! Un bee de gaz. Une porte a deux battants. Une faute d'inattention. Une faute d'impression. Etre distrait. II y a vingt ans. Ma montre avance, retarde de dix minutes. Fermer a clef, fitre en colere. Argent comptant. ficlater de rire. Eclater en sanglots. Fondre en larmes. L'emporter sur quelqu'un. AUer tout droit. Tourner a gauche, a droite. Ce livre est a moi. C'est a moi de (a) jouer. II fait du vent, du brouillard, de la poussiere, du ton- nerre. II fait du soleil. II fait beau temps. D'auJDurd'hui en huit. De lundi en quinze. fitre de mauvaise humeur. N'importe quand. N'importe oii. N'importe qui. N'importe quoi. 10 PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS Any book. Into the bargain. Inadvertently. To do better and better. Everybody. Is he clever ? Have you heard from him ? I have inquired after him. I,et us hear from you. To know how to ride. To know how to drive. To whisper something. To turn a deaf ear. As usual. As far as the eye can reach. To dine out. He took it in jest. He arrived safely. To be self-possessed. To drink somebody's health. To pretend to be deaf. He will not be long in com- ing, he will soon come. I long to see him. It is getting late. To apologise. To be caught in the act. Take it such as it is. To grope one's way. Topsy-turvy. I value this watch very much. He stuck to it, he did not give way. I feel giddy. A break-neck speed. N'importe quel livre. Par-dessus le marche. Par megarde. Faire de mieux en mieux. Tout le monde. Est-il intelligent ? Avez-vous de ses nouvelles ? J'ai demande de ses nouvelles. Donnez-nous de vos nou- velles. Savoir monter a cheval. Savoir conduire. Dire quelque chose a I'oreille. Faire la sourde oreille. Comme a I'ordinaire. A perte de vue. Diner en ville. II a pris la chose en riant. II est arrive sain et sauf. Avoir du sang-froid. Boirealasantede quelqu'un. Faire semblant d'etre sourd. II ne tardera pas a arriver. II me tarde de le voir. II se fait tard. Faire des excuses. Etre pris sur le fait. Prenez-le tel quel. Aller k tatons. Sens dessus dessous. Je tiens beaucoup a cette montre. II a tenu bon, il n'a pas cede. La tete me tourne. Une Vitesse vertigineuse. PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS II Of set purpose, decidedly. Has he come ? I think so, I think not. I have no money to buy it. He has enough to live on, a competency. Give me paper and ink. ,To retrace one's steps. To find fault with something. Serves him right. It's all over with me. How is that ? You will get used to it. What does that matter tome ? Ready-made clothes. To know thoroughly. By dint of work. Is this parcel in your way ? You need not stand on cere- mony with me. To be on one's guard. Take care you don't fall. Mind you do nothing of the kind. For want of something bet- ter. Utterly, from top to bottom. Mind your own business. To sit down to dinner, etc. There were very few people. I can stand it no longer. That is better. On the day before the battle. On the whole. In short, in a word. De propos delibere. Est-il venu ? Je crois que oui, je crois que non. Je n'ai pas de quoi I'acheter. II a de quoi vivre. Donnez-moi de quoi ecrire. Rebrousser chemin. Trouver a redire a quelque chose. C'est bien fait. C'est fait de moi. Comment cela se fait-il ? Vous vous y ferez. Qu'est-ce que cela me fait ? Des habits tout f aits. Savoirafond. A force de travail. Est-ce que ce paquet vous gene ? Vous n'avez pas besoin de vous gener avec moi. Etre sur ses gardes. Prenez garde de tomber. Gardez-vous en bien. Faute de mieux. De fond en comble. Melez-vous de vos affaires. Se mettre a table. II y avait tres peu de monde. Je n'y tiens plus. Cela vaut mieux. La veille de la bataille. En somme, somme toute. Bref, en un mot. 12 PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS Repeatedly. I have more than I want. I have ten francs left. I have ten francs over. I leave it to you. I thought fit to do it. You set about it the right way. You don't know how to set about it. Within a few inches. It is nearly the same thing. To introduce someone. To show someone in. Do not hurry. There is no hurry. I am in no hurry. It is within your reach. You will have to do without ,it. That is not worth while. How much did they charge you ? Perceptibly, visibly. To have a grudge against someone. What does that mean ? What does this word mean ? What are you driving at ? It's pouring with rain. How are you going to get out of that ? What's the use ? There's no reason to be frightened. To fire point blank. No thoroughfare. A plusieurs reprises J 'en ai de reste. II me reste dix francs. J'ai dix francs de reste. Je m'en rapporte a vous. J'ai juge a propos de le faire. Vous vous y prenez bien. Vous ne savez pas vous y prendre. A quelques pouces pres. C'est a peu pres la meme chose. Presenter quelqu'un. Introduire quelqu'un. Ne vous pressez pas. Rien ne presse. Je ne suis pas presse. C'est a votre portee. II faudra vous en passer. Cela n'en vaut pas la peine. Combien vous a-t-on pris ? A vue d'oeil. En vouloir a quelqu'un. Que veut dire cela ? Que veut dire ce mot ? A quoi voulez-vous en venir ? II pleut a verse. Comment allez-vous vous tirer de la ? A quoi bon ? II n'y a pas de quoi s'effrayer. Tirer a bout portant. On ne passe pas. PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS 13 Notice ! No admittance. Stick no bills. I cannot afford it. Of course, naturally. To look about. I happened to be in Paris. Here below. Down with the tyrant ! A pitched battle. A wit. To look always at the bright side of things. They gave him food and drink. Made to order. Made to measure. They are at daggers drawn. According to you. Fire ! Thieves ! Do not trust him. He is a poor fellow. God willing. God forbid. So to speak. Rather. \ rascal. Queer. Wholesale and retail. He will not hear of it. It is all over. Far from it. lyaw student. Medical stu- dent. A love affair. He abused me. Avis (au public) ! Defense d'entrer. Defense d'afficher. Je n'en ai pas les moyens. Bien entendu, naturelle ment. Regarder de cote et d' autre. J 'etais par hasard a Paris. Ici-bas. A bas le tyran ! Une bataille rangee. Un bel esprit. Voir tout en rose. On lui donna a boire et a manger. Fait sur commande. Fait sur mesure. lis sont a couteaux tires. A vous en croire. Au feu ! au voleur ! Defiez-vous de lui. C'est un pauvre diable. S'il plait a Dieu. A Dieu ne plaise ! Pour ainsi dire. Pour mieux dire. Undrole (subs.). Drole (adj.). En gros et en detail. II ne veut pas en entendre parler. C'en est fait. Tant s'en faut. Etudiant en droit, en medecine. Une affaire de cceur. II m' a injurie. 14 PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS "Vou take advantage of my kindness. Is he injured ? I succeeded from the very first. Bread and wine free. The plague broke out. Tell me once for all what you want. To ride very fast. A spent bullet. A gang of thieves. A pack of hounds. A crowd of children. A herd of cattle, a flock of sheep. A return ticket. New Year's Day. To weigh anchor, to cast anchor. I can scarcely believe it. The opening of the schools. A commercial traveller. We shall have a holiday on Tuesday. They were dismissed. I dismissed him. New bread. Book-keeping. A fit of hysterics. Cheap sale. On the whole. He put me out of patience. I am done up. From one end to the other. To make both ends meet. Vous abusez de ma bonte. Est-il blesse ? J'ai reussi du premier coup. Pain et vin a discretion. La peste se declara. Dites-moi une bonne fois ce que vous voulez. Courir a toute bride, a bride abattue, ventre a terre. Une balle perdue. Une bande de voleurs. Une meute de chiens. Une troupe, bande d'enf ants. Un troupeau de boeufs, de moutons. Un billet d'aller ct retour. Le jour de Fan. lycver I'ancre, jeter I'ancre. J'ai peine a le croire. La rentree des classes. Un commis voyageur. Nous aurons (un) conge mardi. lis ont rcQu leur conge. Je lui ai donne conge. Du pain tendre. Tenue des livres, compta- bilite. Une attaque de nerfs. yente au rabais. A tout prendre. II m'a pousse a bout. Je suis a bout de forces. D'un bout a I'autre. Joindre les deux bouts. PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS 15 To tell the truth. Home-made bread. To fail in one's duties. I almost fell. I miss her very much. I missed a hare. My foot slipped. To take imawares. He begged from door to door. He came about three o'clock. I shall leave about noon. About 1850. It was the custom, among the Romans. He looked out of the window. He threw his book out of the window. They were at war. It is three o'clock by my watch. He is two years older than I. He is a tailor by trade. That is sold by weight. This picture is from nature. He drank out of my glass. In the reign of Louis XIV. He guessed three times out of ten. On a cold night in December. It is very kind of you, on your part. He fell on his knees. You will write to my dicta- tion. Under penalty of death. Sans mentir. Pain de menage. Manquer a se^ devoirs. J'ai manque de tomber. EUe me manque beaucoup. J'ai manque un lievre. I,e pied m'a manque. Prendre au depourvu. II mendiait de porte en porte. II arriva sur les trois heures. Je partirai vers midi. Vers 1850. C'etait la coutume chez les Remains. II regardait par la fenetre. II jeta le livre par la fenetre. lis etaient en guerre. II est trois heures a ma montre. II a deux ans de plus que moi. II est tailleur de son etat. Cela se vend au poids. Ce tableau est d'apres nature. II a bu a mon verre. Sous le regne de Louis XIV. II a devine trois fois sur dix. Par une froide nuit de decembre. C'est bien aimable a vous, de votre part. II tomba a genoux. Vous ecrirez sous ma die- tee. Sous peine de mort. i6 PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS He was received with open arms. They came arm-in-arm. One can see it with the naked eye. A boiled egg. Raw materials. A labourer. A suspension bridge. To no purpose. Deliberately, resolutely. Even or odd. A piano duet. The newly-wedded couple. A double-barrelled gun. From now till then. Take care. I see no great harm in that. Side by side. Through and through. I took a false step. On an average. He took me aside. He took me to task. You must take his youth into account. Convey my regrets to him. I sympathise with your sorrow. Give it him from me. Give him my kindest re- gards. To play a game of cards. You are mistaken. You have put me out. II fut regu a bras ouverts. lis arriverent bras dessus, bras dessous. On peut le voir a I'oeil nu. Un osuf a la coque. Les matieres premieres. Un homme de peine. Un pont suspendu. En pure perte. De parti pris. Pair ou impair. Un morceau a quatre mains. Les nouveaux maries. Un fusil a deux coups. D'ici la. Prenez garde a vous. Je ne vois pas grand mal a cela. Cote a cote. De part en part. J'ai fait un faux pas. En moyenne. II m'a pris a part. II m'a pris a partie. II faut faire la part de sa jeunesse. Faites - lui part de mes regrets. Je prends part a votre chagrin. Donnez-le-lui de ma part. Dites-lui bien des choses de ma part. Faire une partie de cartes. Vous vous trompez. Vous m'avez fait tromper. PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS 17 You have taken the wrong book. You look ill. I have no wish to go there. I have no wish for it. You are working in vain, you will not succeed. I have been here for three years. How long have you been in England ? The coronation will take place next week. I have a cold. He came to me. I went to see him. We shall go to meet him. Did you go to meet them ? How are you to-day ? Quite well, better, worse. Go away. To translate at sight. That can be done. Can you swim (do you know how) ? Can you swim (are you able physically) ? I shall let you know. I could not say. Unknown to me, unknown to my brother. I want another pen. How many do you want ? It took me three days to do it. Vous vous etes trompe de livre. Vous avez I'air malade. Je n'ai pas envie d'y aller. Je n'en ai pas envie. Vous avez beau travailler, vous ne reussirez pas. II y a trois ans que je suis ici. Combien de temps y a-t-il que vous etes en Angleterre ? I,e couronnement {L,e sacre) aura lieu la semaine pro- chaine. Je suis enrhume. II est venu me trouver. Je suis alle le voir. Nous irons au-devant de lui. Etes-vous alle a leur ren- contre ? Comment allez-vous aujour- d'hui ? Je vais bien, mieux, plus mal. Allez-vous-en. Traduire a livre ouvert. Cela pent se faire. Savez-vous nager ? Pouvez-vous nager ? Je vous le ferai savoir. Je ne saurais le dire. A men insu, a I'insu de mon frere. II me faut une autre plume. Combien vous en f aut-il ? II m'a fallu trois jours pour le faire. i8 PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS Far from it. Willy nilly. Willingly or by compulsion. How is this word spelt ? I say ! On the way. Three times four are twelve. To pay attention. To give pleasure to someone. To be shipwrecked. To fail (in business). He signed to me to be silent. That is the very thing I wemt. It does not matter. To boil, to fry. I had a pair of shoes made for me. To live from hand to mouth. To set a house on fire. He was nearly drowned. Have you toothache ? I have a sore foot. That hurts. You have hurt me. Every other day. They came in two by two. What has become of his brother ? Anyone will tell you. So much the better, so much the worse. If the worst come to the worst. Amicably, by private settle- ment. Translate word for word. He has a horse of his own. II s'en faut de beaucoup. Bon gre, mal gre. De gre ou de force. Comment s'ecrit (ecrit-on) ce mot ? Dites done ! Chemin faisant. Trois fois quatre font douze. Faire attention. Faire plaisir a quelqu'un. Faire naufrage. Faire faillite. II me fit signe de me taire. Cela fait mon affaire. N'importe, cela ne fait rien. Faire bouillir, faire frire. Je me suis fait faire ime paire de souliers. Vivre au jour le jour. Mettre le feu a une maison. II a f ailli se noyer. Avez-vous mal aux dents ? J'ai mal au pied. Cela fait mal. Vous m'avez fait mal. Tous les deux jours, lis entrerent deux a deux. Qu'est devenu son frere ? lyC premier venu vous le dira Tant mieux, tant pis. Au pis aller. A I'amiable. Traduisez mot a mot. II a un cheval a lui. PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS 19 To be agreed. To say good-bye to someone. That is your look-out. To have to deal with some- one. This coat does not suit you. Nonsense ! You always keep people waiting. I scarcely expected that. What ails you ? What is wrong ? We have had a narrow escape. At cost price. Second hand. To do things by half. To lay the cloth. To come of age. To faint. In a twinkling. No sooner said than done. We write to each other from time to time. In the long run. Along the river. That makes one's flesh creep. You are too particular. You come in the nick of time. You grieve me. He is writing a letter. I let you off for it. Etre d'accord. Faire ses adieux a quelqu'un. C'est votre affaire. Avoir affaire a quelqu'un. Cet habit ne vous va pas. Allons done ! Vous vous faites toujours attendre. Je ne m'attendais guere k cela. Qu'avez-vous ? Qu'y a-t-il ? Nous I'avons echappe belle. Au prix coutant, au prix de revient. D'occasion, de rencontre. Faire les choses a demi. Mettre la table, le couvert. Atteindre sa majorite. Se trouver mal, perdre con- naissance, s'evanouir. En un clin d'oeil. Aussitot dit, aussitot fait. Nous nous 6crivons de temps en temps. A la longue. Le long de la riviere. Cela donne la chair de poule. Vous y regardez de trop pres, vous etes trop diffi- cile. Vous venez a point nomme. Vous me faites de la peine. II est en train d'ecrire une lettre. Je vous en tiens quitte. 20 PROGRESSIVK FRENCH IDIOMS He has been let off cheaply. I got off with a fright. II en a ete quitte a bon marche. J 'en ai ete quitte pour la peur. Vous serez mis a I'amende. You will be fined. They are done up, ex- lis n'en peuvent plus. hausted. I cannot help it. How can I help it ? I cannot help blaming you. To keep step. Do not blame me. We walked five miles and rode ten. As for me. At daybreak. To be sick. You sing out of tune, in tune. I doubt it. I suspect it. You set my teeth on edge. What is the matter ? That is not the question. To get angry, to lose one's temper. I am not particularly anxious to go. He laughed in my face. He is always well dressed. To be in clover. I lost sight of him. You have turned it to good account It is not to be thought of. I could not keep my counten- ance. Je n'y puis rien. Que voulez-vous que j'y fasse ? Je ne puis m'empecher de vous blamer. Marcher au pas. Ne vous en prenez pas a moi. Nous avons fait cinq milles a pied et dix a cheval. Quant a moi. Au point du jour. Avoir mal au coeur. Vous chantez faux, juste. J 'en doute. Je m'en doute. Vous m'agacez les dents. De quoi s'agit-il ? II ne s'agit pas de cela. S'emporter, se mettre en colere. Je ne tiens pas a y aller. II m'a ri au nez. II est tou jours bien mis. fitre comme un coq en pate. Je I'ai perdu de vue. Vous en avez tire bon parti. II n'y faut pas songer. Je n'ai pas pu garder mon serieux. PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS 21 He was beside himself with joy. By return of post. The more reason for doing it. I do not bear you a grudge. You have taken advantage of my poverty. On both sides. I do not know what to do. You have wronged him. They came to blows. They get on well together. You ought to take more care of yourself. He is getting better and better. Can you give me change for twenty francs ? Reluctantly. The railway employees are out on strike. He finally consented. II ne se possedait pas de joie. Par retour du courrier. Raison de plus pour le faire. Je ne vous garde pas ran- cune. Vous avez profite de ma pauvrete. De part et d' autre. Je ne sais quel parti prendre. Vous lui avez fait tort. lis en sont venus atix coups, aux mains. lis font bon menage en- semble. Vous devriez vous menager davantage. II va de mieux en mieux. Pouvez-vous me donner la monnaie de vingt francs ? A contre-coeur. Les employes du chemin de fer sont en greve. II a fini par consentir. SECTION C Common Idioms He was in despondency. The negotiations came to nothing. We took shelter under a tree. No one is safe from mis- fortune. You have taken advantage of my kindness. You are deceiving yourself. My brother will see you home. Your violin is out of tune. He was entrusted, by common consent, with the management of the war. You will not impose upon me. Please acknowledge receipt of this letter, and the en- closed cheque. They received me very w'ell. They fought desperately. They won the day after a desperate struggle. II etait dans Vabattement. Les negociations n'ont pas abouti. Nous nous sommes mis a Vabri sous un arbre. Personne n'est a Vabri du malheur. Vous avez abuse de ma bonte. Vous vous abusez. Mon frere vous accompa- gnera. Votre violon n'est pas d'ac- cord. II fut charge, d'un commun accord, de la conduite de la guerre. Vous ne m'en ferez pas accroire. Veuillez m' accuser recep- tion de cette lettre et du cheque qui I'accompagne. On m'a fait un excellent accueil. lis se sont battus avec acharnement. lis ont remporte la victoire apres une lutte acharnee, 22 PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS 23 It is a stumbling-block. I record your promise. You must put in an ap- pearance. You have mistaken your man. Come what may. Trade is bad. This merchant is doing a very good business. I am very much afraid you will get into trouble. He was in the prime of life. His son was still in infancy. The question now is not to lose what we have gained. Accomplishments. He is stupid and he looks it. They are in comfortable circumstances. I am not in the habit of mincing matters. He has taken a fancy to me. We enjoyed ourselves very much. The harvest promises well. That was ten years ago. In all probability. A window breast-high. He laid stress on the word. He has more than one string to his bow. The land and naval forces. C'est une pierre d'achoppe- ment. Je prends acte de votre promesse. II vous faut faire acte de presence. Vous vous adressez mal. Advienne que pourra. Les affaires vont mal. Ce negociant fait de tres bonnes affaires. J'ai bien peur que vous ne vous attiriez une (mau- vaise) affaire. II etait a la fleur de I'dge. Son fils etait encore en bas age. II s'agit maintenant de ne pas perdre ce que nous avons gagne. Arts d'agremenL II est stupide et il en a Vair. lis sont a Vaise. Je n'ai pas I'habitude d'y aller par quatre chemins. II m'a pris en amitie. Nous nous sommes bien amuses. La recolte s'annonce bien. II y a dix ans de eel a. Selon toute apparence. Une fenetre a hauteur A'ap- pui. II a appuye sur le mot. II a plus d'une corde a son arc. Les armees de terre et de mer. 24 PROGRESSIVE FRENCH IDIOMS The sentence of death was passed. The officer was placed under arrest. A warrant was issued for his arrest. To engage a servant. To book a seat. The town was taken by storm. The afiair was hushed up. Of course no one was found to bell the cat. Have the horses put to. I am sorry to have kept you waiting. I expect he will refuse. I did not expect that from you. He was admitted into the king's presence. It's a god-send, a windfall. It is so much to the good. I shall take it the more willingly because I know he does not need it. We Englishmen. Unless advised to the con- trary. You ran headlong into the trap. What is your Christian name ? A coral reef. I was laughing in my sleeve. Varret de mort fut pro- nonce, ly'officier fut mis aux arrets. Un mandat d'arret fut lance contre lui. Arreter un domestique. Arreter sa place. I