IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchDes yeux de merlan frit
Meaning: A soppy, languishing look.
Literally: Fried whiting's eyes
Example: “Il fait des yeux de merlan frit à la serveuse depuis le début du repas.” — He's been making sheep's eyes at the waitress since the start of the meal.
English equivalent: To make sheep's eyes at someone
Equivalents in other languages
English: make sheep's eyes at
Origin: A whiting cooked whole has its eyes rolled back and whitened, which is the expression being attributed to the lovestruck. It is never a compliment.
More French idioms
- Un oiseau rare An exceptional find; someone with an unlikely combination of qualities.
- Les moutons de Panurge People who follow the crowd without thinking.
- Charger la mule To pile on far too much; to overcharge someone.
- Ne pas valoir un pet de lapin To be entirely worthless.
- C'est la mer à boire It is an impossible or endless task — most often used in the negative.
- Faire son miel de quelque chose To turn something to one's own advantage.
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