En file indienne
Meaning: In single file, one behind another.
Language: French
Literally: In Indian file
Category: Daily Life
Origin: From European reports of Native Americans travelling in single file so that the last walker could disguise the number who had passed. The phrase entered French through the same colonial literature that gave English Indian file.
More idioms — Daily Life
- La fin justifie les moyens — A worthwhile goal excuses whatever it takes to reach it.
- Conter fleurette — To woo someone with sweet talk.
- Des manœuvres florentines — Devious, elaborately indirect political scheming.
- De bonne foi — Sincerely, without intent to deceive.
- S'attirer les foudres de quelqu'un — To bring down someone's wrath on oneself.
- Ne pas pouvoir être au four et au moulin — To be unable to be in two places at once.
More French idioms
- Épater la galerie — To show off for the benefit of onlookers.
- Sans crier gare — Without any warning at all.
- Une promesse de Gascon — A promise nobody expects to be kept.
- Vouer aux gémonies — To denounce someone publicly and utterly.
- Cousin germain — A first cousin.
- Faire partie du Gotha — To belong to the highest society.
From our compliments & insults
- Tu as une cervelle de moineau — You're scatterbrained and forgetful.
- Tu es mon rayon de soleil — A warm way to tell someone they brighten your day.
- Joli comme un cœur — Utterly charming or adorable.
Browse all compliments & insults →
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