IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchDes larmes de crocodile
Meaning: Insincere grief performed for effect.
Literally: Crocodile tears
Example: “Il a versé des larmes de crocodile en annonçant les licenciements.” — He shed crocodile tears as he announced the layoffs.
English equivalent: Crocodile tears
Equivalents in other languages
English: crocodile tears
Origin: From the medieval belief, repeated in bestiaries and by Mandeville, that crocodiles weep while devouring their prey. Crocodiles do produce tears when feeding, though for reasons entirely unconnected to remorse.
More French idioms
- À la fortune du pot Taking potluck; sharing whatever happens to be cooking.
- Séparer le bon grain de l'ivraie To distinguish what is valuable from what is worthless.
- Se demander si c'est du lard ou du cochon To be unable to tell what something is or how it is meant.
- Une autre paire de manches A different matter entirely; a far harder proposition.
- Faire du lèche-vitrine To go window shopping.
- L'huile de coude Hard physical effort; elbow grease.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Un chasseur sachant chasser doit savoir chasser sans son chien. The classic French 'ch' / 's' tangler.
- Les chaussettes de l'archiduchesse sont-elles sèches, archi-sèches? A merciless duel between 'ch' and 's'.
- Si six scies scient six cyprès, six cents scies scient six cents cyprès. An 's' / 'si' minefield.
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