IdiomDaily LifeFrench

En grande pompe

Meaning: With elaborate ceremony.

Literally: In great pomp

Example: “La nouvelle médiathèque a été inaugurée en grande pompe par le préfet.” — The new library was opened with pomp and circumstance by the prefect.

English equivalent: With pomp and circumstance

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Origin: Pompa is the Latin for a solemn procession, borrowed from Greek pompē. The English pomp is the same word, and both have drifted towards implying the ceremony is excessive.

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