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

by de V. Payen-Payne

Ce verre de bière m’a coupé les jambes = My legs feel shaky after that glass of beer.

Couper un cheveu en quatre = To split hairs.

Coupons le câble = Let us take the decisive step.

[Sieyès, June 10, 1789.]

Cela lui a coupé le sifflet (pop.) = That stopped his mouth; That shut him up.

Je vais y couper (pop.) = I am going to “cut” that; I am not going to do it.

Courage

Prenez votre courage à deux mains = Summon up all your courage.

Courage! tout finira bien = Cheer up! all will yet be well.

Courant