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

by de V. Payen-Payne

Cataplasme

C’est comme un cataplasme sur une jambe de bois = A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse.

Catholique

Cet individu n’a pas l’air catholique = That man does not look very trustworthy.

Votre vin est trop catholique = Your wine is too weak, (i.e. baptised with water).

Cause

Il parle en connaissance de cause = He knows what he is talking about.

Je ne veux pas y aller et pour cause = I do not want to go there, and for a very good reason.

J’ai toujours pris fait et cause pour vous = I have always stood up for you, taken up the cudgels in your defence.