Compliment or insultInsult
French
FrenchPeau de vache
Meaning: A mean, difficult, and unpleasant person — tough and unyielding like tanned hide.
Literally: Cow skin
Origin: Old French expression; now a mild colloquial label for someone who makes life difficult.
More French compliments & insults
- Tu as une cervelle de moineau You're scatterbrained and forgetful.
- Tu es mon rayon de soleil A warm way to tell someone they brighten your day.
- Joli comme un cœur Utterly charming or adorable.
- Tu as un cœur d'or You are genuinely kind and generous.
- Tu déchires You're awesome — you totally rock.
- Bête comme ses pieds Really not very bright.
Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words
Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.
- L'esprit de l'escalier Thinking of the perfect comeback only after the moment has passed — on your way down the…
- Terroir The unique character that a place — its soil, climate and tradition — gives to a wine or…
- Râler To complain and grumble with a certain national flair — a beloved French pastime.
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