IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchAu grand dam de quelqu'un
Meaning: To someone's considerable detriment or annoyance.
Literally: To someone's great harm
Example: “Le concert a été annulé, au grand dam des fans venus de loin.” — The concert was canceled, much to the dismay of fans who had traveled far.
Origin: Dam is Latin damnum, damage — an old French noun that survives only here, which is why it is so often mispronounced as though it were the English word. Nothing in the phrase relates to ladies or to dams.
More French idioms
- Les délices de Capoue Comfort that saps the will to keep fighting.
- Après moi le déluge What happens once I am gone is not my problem.
- Le démon de midi The midlife crisis, especially its romantic form.
- Mentir comme un arracheur de dents To lie brazenly and habitually.
- Dur à la détente Slow to understand — or, in the other sense, reluctant to part with money.
- Qui paye ses dettes s'enrichit Settling what you owe leaves you better off than owing it.
Explore another collection: False Friends
Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
- Sympathique Actually means 'nice' or 'pleasant'. Il est très sympathique = He's very nice — not 'He's…
- Rester Actually means 'to stay' or 'to remain'. Je reste ici = I'm staying here — not taking a n…
- Attendre Actually means 'to wait for'. J'attends le bus = I'm waiting for the bus. For attend an e…
Keep exploring