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

by de V. Payen-Payne

Avoir de quoi (pop.) = To be in easy circumstances.

J’ai de quoi payer = I have enough money to pay.

Il y a de quoi = (lit.) There is good reason; (ironic.) There is no reason.

Je vous demande pardon.—Il n’y a pas de quoi = I beg your pardon.—Pray do not mention it.

J’ai beau dire, il en fera à sa tête = It is of no use my talking, he will do as he likes.

C’est un homme que j’ai dans la main = He is a man I hold in the hollow of my hand, i.e. I can make him do what I like.

Qu’avez vous? J’ai que je m’ennuie = What is the matter with you? The matter is that I am bored to death.

Vous en aurez = You will catch it.

Contre qui en avez-vous? = Against whom have you a grudge?