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

by de V. Payen-Payne

[Racine, Plaideurs, i. 1.]

Mentir

*A beau mentir gui vient de loin = A traveller may lie with impunity; Travellers tell fine tales.

Quasi et presque empêchent les gens de mentir = Almost and very nigh save many a lie.

Méprendre

Québec, c’est Saint-Malo à s’y méprendre (Max O’Rell) = You could easily mistake Quebec for St. Malo.

Mer

*Ce n’est pas la mer à boire = It is not an impossibility; It is not so very difficult after all.

*Porter de l’eau à la mer = To carry coals to Newcastle.