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

by de V. Payen-Payne

[This idiom implies movement, excitement, &c.]

Dormir

Dormir sur les deux oreilles = (lit.) To sleep soundly; (fig.) To have no cause for anxiety.

Dormir comme une marmotte, comme un sabot, comme une souche, les (or, à) poings fermés = To sleep like a top, like a log.

Dormir la grasse matinée = To lie late in bed.

Il nous a dit des contes à dormir debout = He told us tedious, nonsensical tales, old wives’ tales.

[“Γραῶν ὕθλος.”—Plato, Rep. 350 E.

“Aniles fabellae.”—Cicero.]

*Qui dort dîne = Sleeping is as good as eating.

*Qui a renommée de se lever matin peut dormir jusqu’à midi = A good reputation covers a multitude of sins.