Flux RSS de Nacel

Phrase numero

2010-06-14

Phrase numero 246

2010-06-14

on utilise très souvent des LED � mais que signifie ce mot recomposé ? il provient de light-emitting diode

Phrase numero 245

2010-06-14

How do you like them apples This idiomatic expression is used to express surprise or shock at something that has happened. It can also be used to boast about something you have done. The origin is uncertain but seems to be related to the film �Good will hunting�

Phrase numero 244

2010-06-14

Grey area A grey/gray area is one where there is no clear right or wrong. Ce n'est pas une zone grise maiis simplemennt une zone d'ombre

Phrase numero 243

2010-06-14

Green fingers (UK) Someone with green fingers has a talent for gardening.

Phrase numero 242

2010-06-14

Go nuts If someone goes nuts, they get excited over something.

Phrase numero 241

2010-06-14

Give me a hand If someone gives you a hand, they help you.

Phrase numero 240

2010-06-14

Black cat It is interesting, though, because the good or bad luck they possess is dependent on where you live in the world. In Britain and Japan, having a black cat cross your path, is considered good luck, whereas if you live in the USA or several European countries, it is bad luck to have a black cat walk by.

Phrase numero 239

2010-06-14

To play at ducks and drakes Là, ça ne s' invente pas et vous alllez briller en apprenant cette expression qui signifie " faire des ricochets" par extension an aura to play at ducks and drakes with one's money : jeter l'argent par les fenêtres !

Phrase numero 238

2010-06-14

Get the picture If you get the picture, you understand a situation fully. Comprendre une situation �.. Il n'y a pas besoin de vous faire un dessin.

Phrase numero 237

2010-06-14

Get the monkey off your back If you get the monkey off your back, you pass on a problem to someone else Le singe n'est pas très bien vu dans la langue anglaise et est souvent associé dans des expressions négatives. Enfin c'est pas pas mieux en français où 'l'on refile le bébé" ! On a aussi : to throw a monkey wrench into the works " � le singe est farceurs et dans ce cas " il flanque la pagaille"

Phrase numero 236

2010-06-14

Get away scot-free If someone gets away scot-free, they are not punished when they have done something wrong on pourrait dire "s'en tirer à bon compte" !

Phrase numero 235

2010-06-14

Game on When someone says 'Game on!', it means that they are accepting a challenge or ready to get something done. Les perdants connaissent surtout "game over" !

Phrase numero 234

2010-06-14

Full throttle If you do something full throttle, you do it with as much speed and energy as you can. Throttle : un trèe joli mot ; c'est plus agréable que "à plein gaz". On entend la puissance du moteur dans le mot !

Phrase numero 233

2010-06-14

Full of beans If someone's full of beans, they are very energetic. Nous sousestimons les bienfaits des haricots ! On traduirait pas "il a la frite " où " il pète la forme" !

Phrase numero 232

2010-06-14

From the word go From the word go means from the very beginning of something. C'est sans doute parce que ce verbe est utiliser dans de si nombreuses expressions ( voir un dictionnaire) . C'est par là que tout commence ; on traduira par : dés le début ou au commencement �..

Phrase numero 231

2010-06-14

From the horse's mouth If you hear something from the horse's mouth, you hear it directly from the person concerned or responsible. Le cheval tient une place privilégiée chez nos amis britanniques. Sa "parole" est donc digne de confiance et "de source sûre"

Phrase numero 230

2010-06-14

From the bottom of your heart If someone does something from the bottom of their heart, then they do it with genuine emotion and feeling. C'est la même chose en français

Phrase numero 229

2010-06-14

From rags to riches Someone who starts life very poor and makes a fortune goes from rags to riches. Une idée de lecture : Sister Carrie de Dreiser � où tout est possible en Amérique si on a de la volonté �.

Phrase numero 228

2010-06-14

From a different angle If you look at something from a different angle, you look at it from a different point of view.

Phrase numero 227

2010-06-14

Frog in my throat If you have a frog in your throat, you can't speak or you are losing your voice because you have a problem with your throat. Nous aimons tellemnt le grenouilles et les anglais tellement les chats qu'il falllait bien inverser nos choix !

Phrase numero 226

2010-06-14

French leave To take French leave is to leave a gathering without saying goodbye or without permission. C'est bien connu �. On file à l'anglaise vu de ce coté de la Manche !

Phrase numero 225

2010-06-14

For the time being an action that will continue into the future but not for good. I'm sharing a falt for the time being as I cannot afford one by myself.

Phrase numero 224

2010-06-14

For Pete's sake This is used as an exclamation to show exasperation or irritation. on traduirait par : Pour l'amour de Dieu ou mais enfin, bon sang !

Phrase numero 223

2010-06-14

Foot the bill The person who foots the bill pays the bill for everybody.It's on me ; let me foot the bill.

Phrase numero 222

2010-06-14

Food for thought If something is food for thought, it is worth thinking about or considering seriously . On dirait : il y a matière à pensee

Phrase numero 221

2010-06-14

Fishy If there is something fishy about someone or something, there is something suspicious ; a feeling that there is something wrong. A fishy situation / une situation pas très claire

Phrase numero 220

2010-06-14

to be fired / to be sacked When you lose your job� se faire virer

Phrase numero 218

2010-06-14

Feel free If you ask for permission to do something and are told to feel free, the other person means that there is absolutely no problem

Phrase numero 217

2010-06-14

Feel at home If you feel relaxed and comfortable somewhere or with someone, you feel at home.

Phrase numero 216

2010-06-14

Fat cat A fat cat is a person who makes a lot of money and enjoys a privileged position in society

Phrase numero 215

2010-06-14

Face the music If you have to face the music, you have to accept the negative consequences of something you have done wrong

Phrase numero 214

2010-06-14

Elephant in the room An elephant in the room is a problem that everyone knows very well but no one talks about because it is taboo, embarrassing, etc.

Phrase numero 213

2010-06-14

Eat like a bird If someone eats like a bird, they eat very little.

Phrase numero 212

2010-06-14

Easy peasy (UK) If something is easy peasy, it is very easy indeed

Phrase numero 211

2010-06-14

Easier said than done If something is easier said than done, it is much more difficult than it sounds

Phrase numero 210

2010-06-14

Dressed to the nines If you are in your very best clothes, you're dressed to the nines. En France on se met sur son 31 !

Phrase numero 209

2010-06-14

Draw the line When you draw the line, you set out limits of what you find acceptable, beyond which you will not go. Il ne faut pas dépasser les bornes !

Phrase numero 208

2010-06-14

Down in the dumps If someone's down in the dumps, they are depressed.

Phrase numero 207

2010-06-14

a doormat if you are a doormat, you have no authority.

Phrase numero 206

2010-06-14

Don't wash your dirty laundry in public en France, le linge sale se lave en famille !

Phrase numero 205

2010-06-14

Doggy bag If you ask for a doggy bag in a restaurant, they will pack the food you haven't eaten for you to take home Il est de coutume en GB et surtout aux USA d'emporter la nourriture non consommée qui vous a été servie ; ainsi il n'y a pas de gaspillage !

Phrase numero 204

2010-06-14

Die is cast If the die is cast, a decision has been made that cannot be altered and fate will decide the consequences.. Le sort en est jeté ou en latin la célèbre phrase Alea Jacta est !

Phrase numero 203

2010-06-14

Cutting edge To be on a delicate position , not to have much flexibilty whatever side you choose.

Phrase numero 202

2010-06-14

Curiosity killed the cat Cats are too curious ! et la "curiosité est un vilain défaut ".

Phrase numero 201

2010-06-14

Crunch time It is "crunch time " when you have an important decision to make. I must decide whether I marry him. It is crucnch time.

Phrase numero 200

2010-06-14

Crossing the Rubicon A point of no return (out of fashion expression)

Phrase numero 199

2010-06-14

Cross swords When people cross swords, they argue or dispute.

Phrase numero 198

2010-06-14

Cream of the crop The cream of the crop is the best there is. Cream rises to the top �� et en français "c'est le dessus du panier " !

Phrase numero 197

2010-06-14

Cold feet If you get cold feet about something, you lose the courage to do it.

Phrase numero 196

2010-06-14

Chip on your shoulder If someone has a chip on their shoulder, they are resentful about something and feel that they have been treated badly. On le traduit par : ne pas avoir digéré que �.

Phrase numero 195

2010-06-14

Catch-22 Catch-22 is a situation where conflicting rules make the desired outcome impossible. It comes from a novel by the American author Joseph Heller. Quoi que l'on fasse , on perd , on ne peut pas s'en sortir.

Phrase numero 194

2010-06-14

Cat nap If you have a short sleep during the day, you are cat napping.

Phrase numero 193

2010-06-14

Case by case to do things case by case ��. Au cas par cas

Phrase numero 192

2010-06-14

Canary in a coal mine (UK) A canary in a coal mine is an early warning of danger. Une belle expression qui nous rappelle que les mineurs descendaient des canaris dans les mines pour les avertir d'un danger car ces oiseaux sont très sensibles au gaz

Phrase numero 191

2010-06-14

Can't see the forest for its trees If someone can't see the forest for its trees, they are too focused on specific details to see the picture as a whole.

Phrase numero 190

2010-06-14

Calm before the storm A calm time immediately before period of violent activity or argument is the calm before the storm.

Phrase numero 189

2010-06-14

Call a spade a spade A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience. Appeler un chat un chat est tout aussi imagé !

Phrase numero 187

2010-06-14

Busy as a bee If you are as busy as a bee, you are very busy indeed.

Phrase numero 186

2010-06-14

Busy as a beaver If you're as busy as a beaver, you're very busy indeed.

Phrase numero 185

2010-06-14

Burning question A burning question is something we all want to know about.

Phrase numero 184

2010-06-14

Bull in a China shop If someone behaves like a bull in a China shop, they are clumsy when they should be careful. Une belle expression pour traduire que l'on est vraiment très maladroit.

Phrase numero 183

2010-06-14

Bring someone to heel If you bring someone to heel, you make them obey you. Heel , ce sont les talons �. Nous nous contentons en français de "le mettre à genoux" .

Phrase numero 182

2010-06-14

Brighten up the day If something brightens up your day, something happens that makes you feel positive and happy all day long.

Phrase numero 181

2010-06-14

Bridge the gap If you bridge the gap, you make a connection where there is a great difference.

Phrase numero 180

2010-06-14

Break even If you break even, you don't make any money, but you don't lose any either.

Phrase numero 179

2010-06-14

Bread and butter Bread and butter issues are ones that affect people directly and in a very important way.

Phrase numero 178

2010-06-14

Bounce ideas If you bounce ideas off someone, you share your ideas with them to know whether they think they would work.

Phrase numero 177

2010-06-14

Bottom line In accountancy, the bottom line is net income, and is used idiomatically to mean the conclusion

Phrase numero 176

2010-06-14

Bone to pick If you have a bone to pick with someone, you are annoyed about something they have done and want to tell them how you feel.

Phrase numero 175

2010-06-14

Bone of contention If there is an issue that always causes tension and arguments, it is a bone of contention

Phrase numero 174

2010-06-14

Blink of an eye If something happens in the blink of an eye, it happens so fast it is almost impossible to notice it.

Phrase numero 173

2010-06-14

Blind as a bat If you are in total darkness and can't see anything at all, you are as blind as a bat.

Phrase numero 172

2010-06-14

Black sheep Someone who is the black sheep doesn't fit into a group or family because their

Phrase numero 171

2010-06-14

Black and white When it is very clear who or what is right and wrong, then the situation is black and white.

Phrase numero 170

2010-06-14

Bite off more than you can chew If you bite off more than you can chew, you take on more responsibilities than you can manage. 'Don't bite off more than you can chew' is often used to advise people against agreeing to more than they can handle.

Phrase numero 169

2010-06-14

Bird's eye view If you have a bird's eye view of something, you can see it perfectly clearly.

Phrase numero 168

2010-06-14

Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' is a proverb meaning that it is better to have something that is certain than take a risk to get more, where you might lose everything.

Phrase numero 167

2010-06-14

Big fish An important person in a company or an organisation is a big fish.

Phrase numero 166

2010-06-14

Big cheese The big cheese is the boss.

Phrase numero 165

2010-06-14

Big Apple (USA) The Big Apple is New York.

Phrase numero 164

2010-06-14

Beyond belief If people behave in such a way that you find it almost impossible to accept that they actually did it, then you can say that their behaviour was beyond belief.

Phrase numero 163

2010-06-14

Beyond a shadow of a doubt If something's beyond a shadow of a doubt, then absolutely no doubts remain about it.

Phrase numero 162

2010-06-14

Better than a kick in the teeth If something is better than a kick in the teeth, it isn't very good, but it is better than nothing

Phrase numero 161

2010-06-14

Beside the point If something is beside the point, it's not relevant to the matter being discussed or considered.

Phrase numero 160

2010-06-14

Benjamin of the family The Benjamin of the family is the youngest child.

Phrase numero 159

2010-06-14

Bells on (USA) To be somewhere with bells on means to arrive there happy and delighted to attend. delighted to attend.

Phrase numero 158

2010-06-14

Behind the times Someone that is behind the times is old-fashioned and has ideas that are out dated

Phrase numero 157

2010-06-14

Behind someone's back If you do something behind someone's back, you do it without telling them.

Phrase numero 156

2010-06-14

Behind closed doors If something happens away from the public eye, it happens behind closed doors

Phrase numero 155

2010-06-14

Beg the question In philosophy "to beg the question" is to assume something to be true that has not yet been proved. I have seen the idiom also to mean that a question is crying out to be asked

Phrase numero 154

2010-06-14

Before you can say Jack Robinson The term Jack Robinson represents 'a short amount of time'. When you do something before you can say Jack Robinson, you do it very quickly.

Phrase numero 153

2010-06-14

Beeline for If you make a beeline for a place, you head there directly.

Phrase numero 152

2010-06-14

Beating a dead horse (USA) If someone is trying to convince people to do or feel something without any hope of succeeding, they're beating a dead horse. This is used when someone is trying to raise interest in an issue that no-one supports anymore; beating a dead horse will not make it do any more work.

Phrase numero 151

2010-06-14

Beat about the bush If someone doesn't say clearly what they mean and try to make it hard to

Phrase numero 150

2010-06-14

Be that as it may Be that as it may is an expression which means that, while you are prepared to accept that there is some truth in what the other person has just said, it's not going to change your opinions in any significant manner.

Phrase numero 149

2010-06-14

Be out in left field (USA) To be out in left field is not to know what's going on. Taken from baseball, when youngsters assign less capable players to the outfield where the ball is less likely to be hit by a young player. In business, one might say, 'Don't ask the new manager; he's out in left field and doesn't know any answers yet.'

Phrase numero 148

2010-06-14

Be all ears If you are all ears, you are very eager to hear what someone has to say.

Phrase numero 147

2010-06-14

Basket case If something is a basket case, it is so bad that it cannot be helped.

Phrase numero 146

2010-06-14

Barking up the wrong tree If you are barking up the wrong tree, it means that you have completely misunderstood something or are totally wrong.

Phrase numero 145

2010-06-14

Bald as a coot A person who is completely bald is as bald as a coot.

Phrase numero 144

2010-06-14

Baker's dozen A Baker's dozen is 13 rather than 12.

Phrase numero 143

2010-06-14

Bag of nerves If someone is a bag of nerves, they are very worried or nervous.

Phrase numero 142

2010-06-14

Bag of bones If someone is a bag of bones, they are very underweight.

Phrase numero 141

2010-06-14

Bad workers always blame their tools A bad worker always blames their tools - If somebody does a job badly or loses in a game and claims that they were let down by their equipment, you can use this to imply that this was not the case.

Phrase numero 140

2010-06-14

Bad taste in your mouth If something leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth, you feel there is something wrong or bad about it.

Phrase numero 139

2010-06-14

Bad shape If something's in bad shape, it's in bad condition. If a person's in bad shape,they are unfit or unhealthy.

Phrase numero 138

2010-06-14

Bad mouth (UK) When you are bad mouthing,you are saying negative things about someone or something.('Bad-mouth' and 'badmouth' are also used.)

Phrase numero 137

2010-06-14

Bad hair day If you're having a bad hair day, things are not going the way you would like or had planned.

Phrase numero 136

2010-06-14

Bad egg A person who cannot be trusted is a bad egg. Good egg is the opposite.

Phrase numero 135

2010-06-14

Bad blood If people feel hate because of things that happened in the past, there is bad blood between them.

Phrase numero 134

2010-06-14

Bad Apple A person who is bad and makes other bad is a bad apple.

Phrase numero 133

2010-06-14

Backseat driver A backseat driver is an annoying person who is fond of giving advice to the person performing a task or doing something, especially when the advice is either wrong or unwelcome.

Phrase numero 132

2010-06-14

Back to the wall If you have your back to the wall, you are in a difficult situation with very little room for man�uvre.

Phrase numero 131

2010-06-14

Back to the salt mine If someone says they have to go back to the salt mine, they have to return to work

Phrase numero 130

2010-06-14

Back to the drawing board If you have to go back to the drawing board, you have to go back to the beginning and start something again.

Phrase numero 129

2010-06-14

Back to square one If you are back to square one, you have to start from the beginning again.

Phrase numero 128

2010-06-14

Back to back If things happen back to back, they are directly one after another.

Phrase numero 127

2010-06-14

Back the wrong horse If you back the wrong horse, you give your support to the losing side in something.

Phrase numero 126

2010-06-14

Back number Something that's a back number is dated or out of fashion.

Phrase numero 125

2010-06-14

Back foot (UK) If you are on your back foot, you are at a disadvantage and forced to be defensive of your position

Phrase numero 124

2010-06-14

Back burner If an issue is on the back burner, it is being given low priority.

Phrase numero 123

2010-06-14

Baby boomer (USA) A baby boomer is someone born in the years after the end of the Second World War, a period when the population was growing very fast.

Phrase numero 122

2010-06-14

Babe in the woods A babe in the woods is a naive, defenceless, young person.

Phrase numero 121

2010-06-14

Babe in arms A babe in arms is a very young child, or a person who is very young to be holding a position.

Phrase numero 120

2010-06-14

AWOL AWOL stands for "Absent Without Leave", or "Absent Without Official Leave". Orignially a military term, it is used when someone has gone missing without telling anyone or asking for permission.

Phrase numero 119

2010-06-14

At the top of your voice If you talk, shout or sing at the top of your voice, you do it as loudly as you can.

Phrase numero 118

2010-06-14

At large If a criminal is at large, they have not been found or caught.

Phrase numero 117

2010-06-14

At a loss If you are at a loss, you are unable to understand or comply.

Phrase numero 116

2010-06-14

As mad as a hatter This simile means that someone is crazy or behaves very strangely. In the past many people who made hats went insane because they had a lot of contact with mercury.

Phrase numero 115

2010-06-14

As cold as ice This idiom can be used to describe a person who does not show any emotion

Phrase numero 114

2010-06-14

Around the clock If something is open around the clock, it is open 24 hours a day. For example, an airport is open around the clock

Phrase numero 113

2010-06-14

An apple a day keeps the doctor away Eating healthy food keeps you healthy

Phrase numero 112

2010-06-14

All your eggs in one basket If you put all your eggs in one basket, you risk everything at once, instead of trying to spread the risk. (This is often used as a negative imperative- 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket'. 'Have your eggs in one basket' is also used.)

Phrase numero 111

2010-06-14

All hat, no cattle (USA) When someone talks big, but cannot back it up, they are all hat, no cattle.('Big hat, no cattle' is also used.)

Phrase numero 110

2010-06-14

Ahead of time If something happens ahead of time, it happens early or before the set time.

Phrase numero 109

2010-06-14

Against the clock If you do something against the clock, you are rushed and have very little time to do it.

Phrase numero 108

2010-06-14

Across the board If something applies to everybody, it applies across the board.

Phrase numero 107

2010-06-14

Ace in the hole An ace in the hole is something other people are not aware of that can be used to your advantage when the time is right

Phrase numero 106

2010-06-14

A1 If something is A1, it is the very best or finest.

Phrase numero 105

2010-06-14

A rolling stone gathers no moss People say this to mean that that an ambitious person is more successful than a person not trying to achieve anything. Originally it meant the opposite and was critical of people trying to get ahead

Phrase numero 104

2010-06-14

A picture is worth a thousand words A picture can often get a message across much better than the best verbal description.

Phrase numero 103

2010-06-14

A penny saved is a penny earned This means that we shouldn't spend or waste money, but try to save it.

Phrase numero 102

2010-06-14

A little bird told me (USA) If something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late say that a little bird told them. Mon petit doigt m' a dit �.

Phrase numero 101

2010-06-14

A day late and a dollar short (USA) If something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late

Phrase numero 100

2010-06-14

A bit much If something is excessive or annoying, it is a bit much.

Phrase numero 99

2010-06-14

To take the bread of someone's mouth � se comprend sans traduire �

Phrase numero 98

2010-06-14

a bread- and -butter letter : c'est une lettre de remerciement .

Phrase numero 97

2010-06-14

en résumé, pour faire court �. Une très jolie traduction en anglais : in a nutshell��.

Phrase numero 96

2010-06-14

it's a hard nut to crack ! Souvent utilisé en anglais quand une situation nous fait "tomber sur un os". Assez fréquemment utilisée.

Phrase numero 95

2010-06-14

Ce n'est pas facile de chercher une aiguille dans une meule de foin� alors pour une fois on traduira par "to look for a needle in a haystack !"

Phrase numero 94

2010-06-14

To the core � sera sans doute "jusqu'au bout des ongles " . Core , c'est le centre , le c�ur d'un fruit. The core of the apple / he is a musician to the core .

Phrase numero 93

2010-06-14

Il n'est jamais bon de mentir mais parfois cela peut éviter un problème � alors si c'est un mensonge pieux� on sera pardonné I did not want to offend her, so I told a white lie and said she had a lovely dress�. (Actually, I thought it was ugly !)

Phrase numero 92

2010-06-14

Nous avons parfois des "listes rouges " qui sont des "black lists " en Angleterre .

Phrase numero 91

2010-06-14

out of the blue � une expression colorée pour exprimer un évènement inattendu. The news of his resignation came out of the blue .

Phrase numero 90

2010-06-14

British spelling - US spelling colour - color humour - humor favourite- favorite theatre --theater kilometre --kilometer

Phrase numero 89

2010-06-14

English or American English teacher : "Stop mucking around ! US teacher : get on with your work !,"

Phrase numero 88

2010-06-14

Pourquoi les anglais n'ont pas vraiment de mots pour avant-hier et après-demain et doivent faire presque une periphrase ? The day before yesterday �.. The day after tomorrow !!!

Phrase numero 87

2010-06-14

False friend !!!! . They're having an argument so don't interfere �.. Ils se disputent �.. Rien à voir avec les arguments mais ils ne devront pas en manquer.

Phrase numero 86

2010-06-14

False friend : The agenda of the meeting � c'est l'ordre du jour !

Phrase numero 85

2010-06-14

False friend !!!! : actually �.. veut dire "en fait" .

Phrase numero 84

2010-06-14

Do you know why it�s easy for a hunter to find a leopard? Because a leopard is always spotted

Phrase numero 83

2010-06-14

Pour être toujours positif et enthousiaste aux USA : le mot clé à savoir , c'est Awesome !

Phrase numero 82

2010-06-14

Les romantiques français "rêvent de " quand les anglais "meurent d'envie " She is so cute ; I'm dying to meet her in person.

Phrase numero 81

2010-06-14

A Pun is a word or an expression that has two meanings,and is used in a humorous way : I'm dying to see the new cemetry �.

Phrase numero 80

2010-06-14

A Pun is a word or an expression that has two meanings,and is used in a humorous way - I was boarding my flight to New York when I saw my friend Jack . I yelled at him : Hi Jack !

Phrase numero 79

2010-06-14

nous préférons écrire "noir SUR blanc " , les anglais se contentent de "in black and white" .

Phrase numero 78

2010-06-14

Nos amis britanniques sont stylés : ils sont "hand and gloves " quand nous , plus gaulois, sommes "c..et chemise ! Ou " de mèche"

Phrase numero 77

2010-06-14

We took our holidays in Canada and we had a whale of time pas évident �.. On aurait pu dire �.. A very enjoyable time .

Phrase numero 76

2010-06-14

Get back to your muttons �. Oui vous pouvez traduire mot à mot � facile aujourd'hui !

Phrase numero 75

2010-06-14

AM and PM Ante Meridiem and Post Meridiem il faut toujours préciser : 3 PM �. Pour un rendez-vous car si c'est 3 AM vous allez attendre dans la nuit !

Phrase numero 74

2010-06-14

Les Britanniques sont pragmatiques et concrets � n'utilisez pas trop souvent de termes compliqués ! Une antenne parabolique �.. Se dira tout bêtement " a dish ".

Phrase numero 73

2010-06-14

ASAP une abrévation �. Pour gagner du temps , c'est l'idée�. Et dans ce cas As Soon As Possible � dans un courrier lorqu'on espère une réponse rapide .

Phrase numero 72

2010-06-14

Nous descendons du monde rural c'est pourquoi nous mettons "la charrue" avant les b�ufs : les Britanniques préfèrent " to put the cart before the horse " !

Phrase numero 71

2010-06-14

Les français gaspillent et parfois tuent "la poule aux �ufs d'or" ; les anglais font de même mais tuent l'oie ,sans doute considérée comme supérieure à la poule : Don't kill the goose that lays the golden egg !

Phrase numero 70

2010-06-14

Comment parler aux filles � if you cannot say "boo" to a goose �. This means " he is very timid" or "shy"

Phrase numero 69

2010-06-14

The underdogs un terme américain terrible �. Pour désigner les pauvres qui sont encore plus miséreux que des chiens (under dogs). plus généralement pour désigner un éternel perdant.

Phrase numero 68

2010-06-14

en ligne droite , ou bien à vol d'oiseau , nos amis anglais sont plus précis car pour eux, seul le corbeau vole en ligne droite . it's only 10 miles from here as the crow flies !

Phrase numero 67

2010-06-14

Aujourd'hui � c'est simple, alors on ne traduit pas ! Allez au travail " take the bull by the horns "

Phrase numero 66

2010-06-14

Lorsqu'il tombe des hallebardes en France, it rains cat and dogs in England ! ( expression un peu viellissante et peu utilisée par les jeunes mais tellement imagée !).

Phrase numero 65

2010-06-14

Les anglais aiment les animaux et les français les feux d'artifice �< C'est pourquoi "vendre la mèche" se dit "let the cat out the bag"

Phrase numero 64

2010-06-14

he is like a bull in a china shop ��. Pour bien comprendre il faut savoir ce qu'est " a china shop"

Phrase numero 63

2010-06-14

Pour traduire que quelqu'un est vraiment très maladroit, voici une expression tellement imagée: he looks like a bull in a china shop... Pour bien comprendre il faut savoir ce qu'est " a china shop".

Phrase numero 62

2010-06-14

Une très belle phrase pour aujourd'hui : Houses are made of bricks, homes are made of hearts. Méditez-là et vous sentirez la différence entre "House" et "home"

Phrase numero 61

2010-06-14

He is posh / a posh area / il est riche / un endroit riche (British English) L'origine de ce mot est surprenante : il s'agit d'un abréviation pour Port Out, Starboard Home Sur un navire , Port est le babord et Starboard le Tribord. Les cabines sur les paquebots en partance d'Angleterre pour les Indes situées à babord permettaient de voir la côte et étaient pus chères (et à l'abri du vent) , au retour c'était l'inverse les places de tribord longeaient la côte !

Phrase numero 60

2010-06-14

Un limerick est un poème humoristique, à l'origine en anglais, de 5 vers rimés (rimes aabba), de caractère souvent drôle. A wonderful bird is the pelican, His pouch can hold more than his belly can He can take in his beak enough food for a week I'm damned if I know how the hell he can Have a go ! try to write a funny Limerick and send it by mail, we will publlish the best ones on the web !

Phrase numero 59

2010-06-14

Intelligence service : dans l'armée anglaise, ce n'est pas un seulement un service intelligent , c'est le service du renseignement �.

Phrase numero 58

2010-06-14

Say or tell ? Remplacer les xxx par le bon choix de verbe ! xxx him not to come ? / Did you xxx him ? / he knows what he xxx (tell/tell/says)

Phrase numero 57

2010-06-14

gonna : contraction familière de "going to" (US english) I'm gonna come later : I'm going to come later

Phrase numero 56

2010-06-14

to turn topsy-turvy - to mix things up / shake things up C'est tout chambouler �

Phrase numero 55

2010-06-14

His services are like so many white elephants, des chimères, qui ne sert à rien.

Phrase numero 54

2010-06-14

To pay cash on the nail : to pay immediately payer rubis sur l'ongle

Phrase numero 53

2010-06-14

to jump on the bandwagon : to do what everyone else is doing, to follow prendre le train en marche

Phrase numero 52

2010-06-14

Comment convertir des degrés Farenheit en degrés Celcius ? Soit 59° F : on enlève 32 , ce qui fait 27 que l'on multiple par 5 puis que l'on divise par 9 !! Simple ; on obtient 15°C

Phrase numero 51

2010-06-14

To kill two birds with one stone : to accomplish two things with one action un peu cruelle cette expression, nous nous sommes plus évasif en disant ( faire d'une pierre deux coups) !

Phrase numero 50

2010-06-14

as busy as a bee : to always find something to do / find ways to occupy time

Phrase numero 49

2010-06-14

To be caught with one's hand in the till (British English) Etre pris en flagrant délit. (till , c'est le tiroir-caisse).

Phrase numero 48

2010-06-14

la forme abrégée "ie" vient du latin "id est " et signifie "That is to say" : c'est-à-dire (c.-à-d.)�..ou par exemple

Phrase numero 47

2010-06-14

Grammar : to feel like + xxx ing : cette expression est toujours suiving d'une forme en -ing : He's tired and doesn't feel like playing soccer today.

Phrase numero 46

2010-06-14

to be extravagant means to spend too much money être dépensier et non pas extravagant.

Phrase numero 45

2010-06-14

To have a crush on someone : to be interested in someone a little bit. Having a "crush" is not as strong as liking or loving someone. il a un "petit faible" pour Marie.

Phrase numero 44

2010-06-14

to be "blue" être triste, mélancolique.

Phrase numero 43

2010-06-14

What are "four letter words" ? Des mots de 4 lettres ? �. Non ce sont "des gros mots à ne pas dire �. Mais ils sont souvent 4 lettres en anglais! Non, il n'y aura pas d'exemple !

Phrase numero 42

2010-06-14

To speak like a bargee ! Parler comme un charretier �.. Mais a bargee , en anglais, c'est un batelier ; le mot est de la même famille que barge qui veut dire péniche ; on a aussi le mot barge en français

Phrase numero 41

2010-06-14

to be sent to Coventry être placé en quarantaine ( vieille expression).

Phrase numero 40

2010-06-14

Connaissez vous le nom de ville le plus long du monde ? Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch C'est une petite ville du pays de Galles (chercher sur internet pour voir le panneau de la gare).

Phrase numero 39

2010-06-14

to be a doormat : to be weak in character, to allow people to do whatever they want

Phrase numero 38

2010-06-14

To be deaf like a door-post sourd comme un pot !

Phrase numero 37

2010-06-14

To take something with a grain of salt : to listen to something but understand it may have shortcomings / consequences. c'est à prendre avec des pincettes

Phrase numero 36

2010-06-14

To be up with the lark . To wake up as early as the birds. se lever aux aurores ou au chant du coq � mais attention "a lark" c'est une alouette. Ou parfois ( homonyme) une bonne blague : what a lark !

Phrase numero 35

2010-06-14

What is a palindrome ? It is a word you can read from left to right or right to left for example, RACECAR or the name HANNAH.

Phrase numero 34

2010-06-14

Pour mémoriser les couleurs de l'Arc en ciel : Rainbow colours Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain Red ,Orange, Yellow, Green, Indigo, Violet

Phrase numero 33

2010-06-14

The early bird catches the worm. Le premier arrivé est le mieux servi

Phrase numero 32

2010-06-14

Once in the blue moon tous les 36 du mois !

Phrase numero 31

2010-06-14

To flog a dead horse : to do something useless / to lose ones' time perdre son temps

Phrase numero 30

2010-06-14

False friends : Sensitive versus sensible Girls are often sensitive but boys are not always sensible !

Phrase numero 29

2010-06-14

To take after : to resemble in features or in character My daughter does not take after me; she is more easy going.

Phrase numero 28

2010-06-14

To know which side one's bread is buttered ! Connaître son intérêt

Phrase numero 26

2010-06-14

All that glitters is not gold Tout ce qui brille n'est pas d'or

Phrase numero 25

2010-06-14

All's well that ends well Tout est bien qui finit bien

Phrase numero 24

2010-06-14

Magic e Répéter : can/man/ban/fan/pan/van . Ajouter un e à la fin . Comment prononce t-ton les nouveaux mots ?

Phrase numero 23

2010-06-14

To grin like a cheshire cat : to smile broadly with teeth showing the expression comes from Alice in Wonderland

Phrase numero 22

2010-06-14

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush Mieux vaut tenir que courir. L'expression est plus poétique en anglais !

Phrase numero 21

2010-06-14

to be in two minds : to hesitate I have been invited but I am in two minds whether or not I go.

Phrase numero 20

2010-06-14

He was born�. En anglais, on utilise toujours le passé pour traduire "il est né" He was born in 2005 : il est né en 2005

Phrase numero 19

2010-06-14

to be not much of : to not do something well or with interest because it isn't often practiced or because one does not like it. I'm not much of a bridge player.

Phrase numero 18

2010-06-14

To sit by oneself : to sit alone She was sitting by herself and in such despair.

Phrase numero 17

2010-06-14

To go beyond the pale : to exaggerate His did not go to school this morning ! I think he is going beyond the pale and he will be in trouble soon.

Phrase numero 16

2010-06-14

To be OTT : OverThe Top To have a feeling of superiority � ( it is not a quality to say that someone is OTT )

Phrase numero 15

2010-06-14

Another (semi) false friend. In English �to insist� means only to refuse a negative answer when you ask for something to be done (if I ask you to do something and you are reluctant I may insist that you do it).. Unlike the French �insister� It never means to emphasise something. So you might say, �I want to emphasise this��, which has a different meaning from, � I insist on this� .

Phrase numero 14

2010-06-14

MARMELADE ! An interesting piece of (probably false) etymology for French people��The origin of the word �marmelade� is that it is a corruption of the French �Marie est malade�, referring to Mary Queen of Scots (Marie Stuart, as you call her).. When she lived in France she would ask for Marmelade when she felt ill, so her Scottish courtiers shortened this to �marmelade�.

Phrase numero 13

2010-06-14

The word �information� is ALWAYS singular in English; �informations� does not exist. (unlike French). So you say, �I have a lot of information about it�. If you really must emphasise that there is more than one item of information you can say �I have several pieces of information about it�.

Phrase numero 12

2010-06-14

a heart of stone = a pitiless and unfeeling nature. He doesn't care about others, he's got a heart of stone.

Phrase numero 11

2010-06-14

a heart of gold = a genuinely good person. He looks bad-tempered but really he's got a heart of gold.

Phrase numero 10

2010-06-14

after one's own heart = of exactly the type one likes best. He likes good wine too, he's obviously a man after my own heart.

Phrase numero 9

2010-06-14

from the bottom of one's heart = sincerely. This advice comes from the bottom of my heart.

Phrase numero 8

2010-06-14

at heart = in one's real nature. I'm a country girl at heart.

Phrase numero 7

2010-06-14

to take something to heart = be much affected or upset by something. I took your criticism very much to heart.

Phrase numero 6

2010-06-14

to set one's heart on something = want something to the point of obsession. She had set her heart on becoming a policewoman.

Phrase numero 5

2010-06-14

to lose heart = become discouraged. She had so many job refusals that she's beginning to lose heart.

Phrase numero 4

2010-06-14

to learn/know something by heart = from memory. He knows the poem by heart.

Phrase numero 3

2010-06-14

to do something to one's heart's content = do something as much as one wishes. There will be lots of food, so you'll be able to eat to your heart's content.

Phrase numero 2

2010-06-14

to have one's heart in one's mouth = be badly frightened. I was alone and when the lights went out, I had my heart in my mouth!

Phrase numero 1

2010-06-14

to not have the heart to do something = to not have the strength or will to do something. I hadn't the heart to refuse his offer.