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

by de V. Payen-Payne

Bande

Faire bande à part = Not to mix with other people.

[In Parliamentary parlance, “to form a cave” (of Adullam).]

Banquette

Jouer devant les banquettes = (of actors) To play to empty benches.

Barbe

Se faire la barbe = To shave.

Rire dans sa barbe = To laugh in one’s sleeve.

[See [Cape]. This is used always of men, whereas rire sous cape is used chiefly of women.]

Je le lui dirai à sa barbe = I will say it to his face.