À la fortune du pot

Meaning: Taking potluck; sharing whatever happens to be cooking.

Literally: At the pot's fortune

Example: “Passez dîner ce soir, ce sera à la fortune du pot.” — Come over for dinner tonight; you'll have to take potluck.

English equivalent: To take potluck

Equivalents in other languages

English: take potluck

Origin: An invitation offered without warning, so the guest gets whatever the pot already holds. The fortune is the host's, and the phrase politely disclaims any preparation.

More French idioms

L'huile de coude Hard physical effort; elbow grease.
Couper l'herbe sous le pied de quelqu'un To forestall someone by acting first.
Ne pas mâcher ses mots To speak with complete bluntness.
Il faut tourner sept fois sa langue dans sa bouche avant de parler Think carefully before you speak.
En avoir gros sur le cœur To be full of unspoken hurt or resentment.
En son for intérieur In one's heart of hearts; in private conscience.

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Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

Sensible Actually means 'sensitive'. For sensible/level-headed, say raisonnable.
Librairie Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque.
Pain Actually means 'bread'. The hurting kind of pain is la douleur.

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Equivalents in other languages

More idioms — Food & Drink

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