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Peau de vache

Meaning: A mean, difficult, and unpleasant person — tough and unyielding like tanned hide.

Language: French

Literally: Cow skin

Category: Insult

Origin: Old French expression; now a mild colloquial label for someone who makes life difficult.

More compliments & insults — Insult

  • Eres un aguafiestas — You're a killjoy — you pour cold water on everyone's fun the moment you arrive.
  • ¡Qué cara más dura! — You've got incredible nerve and cheek — the audacity is almost impressive.
  • Es un/una pesado/a — A dreadful bore — their company feels like carrying extra weight.
  • Más terco/a que una mula — Hopelessly obstinate — no argument, fact, or force of nature will shift their position.
  • Pareces un pulpo en un garaje — You're completely out of place — flailing around uselessly in an environment that makes n…
  • Che rompiscatole — What an insufferable pest — someone who endlessly pesters and never lets you be.

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.

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