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

by de V. Payen-Payne

Donner carte blanche = To give full permission; To grant a person full liberty to act according to his judgment.

Je connais la carte du pays = I know the country well.

C’est un homme qui ne perd pas la carte = He is a man who keeps his wits about him, who has an eye to the main chance.

C’est un château de cartes que cette maison = This is a jerry-built house.

Carton

Rester dans les cartons = To be pigeon-holed.

Des objets de carton = (fig.) Gimcrack things.

Cas

C’est bien le cas de le dire = One may indeed say so.

Il n’est pas dans le cas de vous nuire = He is not in a position to harm you.