IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchAller comme un tablier à une vache
Meaning: To suit someone appallingly badly.
Literally: To suit like an apron suits a cow
Example: “Ce costume trois pièces lui va comme un tablier à une vache.” — That three-piece suit looks absolutely ridiculous on him.
Origin: The absurdity is the argument: the garment is not merely unflattering on the animal but conceptually wrong for it. French offers the parallel comme des guêtres à un lapin, gaiters on a rabbit.
More French idioms
- Une tarte à la crème A tired cliché trotted out as though it were an argument.
- Décrocher la timbale To carry off the prize.
- Trier sur le volet To hand-pick with great care.
- À tue-tête At the top of one's voice.
- Dire ses quatre vérités à quelqu'un To tell someone exactly what is wrong with them.
- Avoir la main verte To have a gift for growing plants.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Peau de vache A mean, difficult, and unpleasant person — tough and unyielding like tanned hide.
- 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.
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