IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchDes mesures draconiennes
Meaning: Punishingly severe rules.
Literally: Draconian measures
Example: “La mairie a pris des mesures draconiennes contre les déchets sauvages.” — City hall has taken draconian measures against illegal dumping.
Origin: From Draco, who codified Athenian law around 621 BC and prescribed death for a remarkable proportion of offenses. A later Athenian said his laws were written in blood rather than ink.
More French idioms
- À l'emporte-pièce Trenchant and uncompromising, of a remark or judgment.
- Un enfant de la balle Someone raised in the trade they now practice.
- Envers et contre tous In defiance of universal opposition.
- À l'envi Vying with one another; each trying to outdo the rest.
- Jeter l'éponge To give up and concede.
- Passer l'éponge To forgive and say no more about it.
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