French Idioms and Proverbs / A Companion to Deshumbert's "Dictionary of Difficulties"

by de V. Payen-Payne

Baîller comme une carpe = To yawn one’s head off.

Elle fait la carpe pâmée (fam.) = She turns up the whites of her eyes; She pretends to be ill; She looks like a dying duck in a thunderstorm.

[Also: Faire des yeux de merlan frit.]

Carré

Une partie carrée = A party composed of two ladies and two gentlemen.

C’est une tête carrée = He is an obstinate fellow.

Carreau

C’est un valet de carreau = He is a contemptible fellow, a snob.

Coucher sur le carreau = To sleep on the floor.