Coupe
*Il y a loin de la coupe aux lèvres = There is many a slip ’twixt the cup and the lip.
[The Greek πολλὰ μεταξὺ πέλει κύλικος καὶ χείλεος ἄκρου is said to have had its origin in the following circumstances:—Anceaus, an ancient King of Samos, treated with extreme cruelty his slaves who were planting a vineyard for him; until at length one more ill-used than the rest prophesied that for his cruelty he should never drink of its wine. When the first vintage was over the master bade this slave fill him a goblet, and, taking it in his hands, he taunted him with the failure of his prophecy. The slave answered with these words; and as he was speaking news was brought of a huge wild boar that was wasting the vineyard. Setting down the untasted cup and snatching up a spear the master went out to meet the wild boar and was slain in the encounter. Compare the Latin: Inter calicem et os multa cadunt; and the Spanish: De la mano a la boca se pierde la sopa.
Other variants in French are: Entre la bouche et le verre
Le vin souvent tombe à terre.
Vin versé n’est pas avalé.
En amour, en cour, et à la chasse.
Chacun ne prend ce qu’il pourchasse.]
Mettre en coupe réglée = (lit.) To cut down periodically (of forests); (fig.) To lay regularly under contribution.
Couper
Il s’est coupé dans ses réponses = He contradicted himself in his answers.
Il lui a coupé la parole = He interrupted him.
Son père lui a coupé les vivres = His father stopped his allowance.