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

by de V. Payen-Payne

Des yeux à fleur de tête = Goggle eyes. (See [Fleur].)

Ouvrez l’œil, et le bon! (fam.) = Look out!

Cela lui a tapé dans l’œil (pop.) = That took his fancy; He was much struck by that.

Œuf

*Donner un œuf pour avoir un bœuf = To give a sprat to catch a herring (or, mackerel).

[Also: Supporter peu pour avoir tout.]

*Faire d’un œuf un bœuf = To make a mountain out of a molehill.

Il tondrait sur un œuf = He would skin a flint. (See [Huile] and [Cheveux].)

Œuvre