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

by de V. Payen-Payne

H.

Habit

*L’habit ne fait pas le moine = The cowl does not make the friar; The coat does not make the gentleman.

Prendre l’habit = To become a monk or a nun (of the latter, To take the veil).

Habitué

Ce monsieur est un de nos habitués = That gentleman is one of our regular customers.

Hache

Cela est fait à coups de hache (or, serpe) = That is done clumsily, roughly.

Hacher

Je les hacherais menu comme chair à pâté = I would make mincemeat of them.