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

by de V. Payen-Payne

Faillir

J’ai failli tomber = I very nearly fell.

Faim

C’est la faim qui épouse la soif = They are both very poor; It is one beggar marrying another.

*La faim chasse le loup hors du bois = Hunger tames the lion; Hunger will break through stone walls.

Faire

Rien n’y fait = Nothing has any effect upon him (or, on it); It is all of no use.

Comment est-il fait? = What sort of a man is he?

*Ce qui est fait est fait = It is no good crying over spilt milk.

*On ne peut faire qu’en faisant = Practice makes perfect.