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

by de V. Payen-Payne

*Il chante toujours la même chanson = He is always harping on the same string.

[“Cantilenam eandem canere.”
Terence, Phormio, iii. 2, 10.

“Chorda qui semper oberrat eadem.”
Horace, Ars Poet., 356.]

*Tel chante qui ne rit pas = The heart may be sad though the face be gay.

C’est comme si je chantais = It is like talking to the air, preaching in the desert.

Je lui ai chanté sa gamme = I lectured him severely.

Une porte mal graissée chante = One must pay well to keep persons quiet.

Elle chante à faire pitié = She sings most wretchedly.

Chanter juste = To sing in tune.