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

by de V. Payen-Payne

Il ne se fait faute de rien = He denies himself nothing.

C’est une faute d’inattention = It is a slip.

C’est une faute d’impression = It is a misprint.

Il ne se fait pas faute de se plaindre = He complains freely.

Faute de mieux = For want of something better.

Faux

Chanter faux = To sing out of tune.

Faire un faux pas = (lit.) To stumble; (fig.) To make a slip; To commit a mistake.

Vous faites fausse route = You are taking the wrong road; You are on the wrong track.

Cette poutre porte à faux = That beam does not rest properly on its support.