
IdiomDaily Life
English
cherchez la femme
Meaning: There is probably a woman behind this situation.
Example: “The minister resigned for "personal reasons"? Cherchez la femme.”
Origin: French for "look for the woman," popularized by Alexandre Dumas's novel The Mohicans of Paris (1854), where a police chief repeats it. It was borrowed into English as a knowing phrase.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Cherchez la femme Literally: Look for the woman
More English idioms
- fire in the belly Strong ambition and drive.
- a slippery slope A small step that leads to worse and worse consequences.
- snug as a bug in a rug Very warm and comfortable.
- breathe down someone's neck To watch someone too closely, or to be close behind them.
- champ at the bit To be impatient to start.
- walk into the lion's den To go deliberately into a dangerous or hostile place.
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