IdiomFood & Drink
French
FrenchBoire le calice jusqu'à la lie
Meaning: To endure an ordeal all the way to its most humiliating end.
Literally: To drink the chalice down to the dregs
Example: “Accusé à tort, il a bu le calice jusqu'à la lie avant d'être innocenté.” — Wrongly accused, he suffered every last humiliation before being cleared.
English equivalent: To drain the cup to the dregs
Equivalents in other languages
English: drain the cup to the dregs
Origin: From the Gospel account of Gethsemane, where Christ asks that the cup pass from him. The lie is the sediment at the bottom of the vessel, so draining to it means being spared nothing.
More French idioms
- Clouer le bec à quelqu'un To silence someone completely, usually with an unanswerable reply.
- Se crêper le chignon To have a furious quarrel — said of women.
- Avoir les yeux de Chimène pour quelqu'un To be visibly smitten with someone or something.
- Se faire des cheveux blancs To worry oneself sick.
- Haut les cœurs ! Take courage; lift your spirits.
- Aux calendes grecques Never — used of something postponed indefinitely.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
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- Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre Patience is rewarded in the end.
- Qui se ressemble s'assemble People tend to seek out others like themselves.
- L'avenir appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt Early risers, and hard workers in general, are the ones who succeed.
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