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

by de V. Payen-Payne

Je suis désorienté = 1. I am disconcerted. 2. I am out of my element; I do not feel at home; I have lost my bearings.

Desserrer

Je n’ai pas desserré les dents = I never opened my lips.

Dessus

Par dessus le marché = Into the bargain; Over and above.

Il n’y a rien au dessus de cela = That beats everything.

Sens dessus dessous = All upside down; Topsy-turvy.

Ils ont eu le dessus = They got the best of it.

[Avoir le dessous = to get the worst of it.]

Prendre le dessus = To gain the upper hand.