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

by de V. Payen-Payne

*A merle soûl cerises sont amères = Plenty makes dainty.

Parler tout son soûl (pop.) = To speak to one’s heart’s content.

Soulier

Être dans ses petits souliers = To be uneasy in one’s mind; To be on pins and needles.

Soumettre

Il faut se soumettre ou se démettre = One must knuckle under or clear out.

[Gambetta said this to Marshal MacMahon during the crisis of 16th May 1875.]

Soupe

S’emporter comme une soupe au lait = To fly into a passion without warning; To be of a very hasty temper.

Trempé comme une soupe = Wet to the skin; Dripping wet.