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

by de V. Payen-Payne

Empressé

Il fait l’empressé auprès de sa vieille tante = He pays marked attention to his old aunt.

Emprunter

Elle a un air emprunté = She looks awkward, embarrassed, affected.

Ne choisit pas qui emprunte = Beggars cannot be choosers.

[“Qui empruncte ne choisist mie.”
Maistre Pierre Pathelin, 79.]

Encensoir

Casser le nez à quelqu’un à coups d’encensoir = To flatter some one fulsomely to his face. (See [Casser].)

Enchère