[“How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds
Makes ill deeds done.”
Shakespeare, King John, iv. 2.]
Latin
Latin de cuisine = Dog Latin.
J’y perds mon latin = I cannot make it out; I am nonplussed; I can make neither head nor tail of it.
Être au bout de son latin (or, rouleau) = To be at one’s wits’ end; Not to know what to do, or say, next.
Lettre
Je lui ai dit la chose en toutes lettres = I told him the matter plainly.
Ne prenez pas ce que je dis au pied de la lettre = Do not take what I say literally.
Lever
J’en lèverais la main = I would swear to it; I would take my oath to it.