IdiomBody & Senses
French
FrenchDans le plus simple appareil
Meaning: Stark naked.
Literally: In the simplest apparatus
Example: “Surpris par l'orage, les baigneurs sont sortis de l'eau dans le plus simple appareil.” — Caught by the storm, the swimmers ran out of the water in their birthday suits.
English equivalent: In one's birthday suit
Equivalents in other languages
English: in one's birthday suit
Origin: Appareil once meant attire or outward get-up, especially ceremonial dress, so the simplest possible one is none at all. The elevated register is the point — it is a deliberately genteel way of saying nude.
More French idioms
- L'arbre qui cache la forêt A conspicuous detail that distracts attention from the larger reality behind it.
- Jeter son bonnet par-dessus les moulins To throw propriety to the wind and stop caring what people think.
- Un baroud d'honneur A last stand fought for honor when defeat is already certain.
- Un ange passe Said to acknowledge a sudden awkward silence in a conversation.
- Être aux anges To be overjoyed, in raptures.
- Être aux abonnés absents To be unreachable, or to fail to show up when needed.
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