IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchEnvers et contre tous
Meaning: In defiance of universal opposition.
Literally: Towards and against all
Example: “Elle a défendu son projet de ferme bio envers et contre tous.” — She stood up for her organic farm project in the face of everyone.
English equivalent: Against all odds
Equivalents in other languages
English: against all odds
Origin: Envers here carries its old sense of facing or confronting rather than the modern towards. The pairing is a legal formula of the kind that survives long after its grammar stops making sense.
More French idioms
- Des espèces sonnantes et trébuchantes Hard cash, as opposed to promises or credit.
- D'estoc et de taille With everything one has, by every available means.
- Ne connaître ni d'Ève ni d'Adam Not to know someone at all.
- Fauché comme les blés Completely broke.
- S'inscrire en faux To formally deny something and challenge its truth.
- Cherchez la femme There is a woman behind this somewhere.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Si six scies scient six cyprès, six cents scies scient six cents cyprès. An 's' / 'si' minefield.
- Dans ta tente ta tante t'attend. A gentle 'ta / ten / tan / t'' warm-up that sounds faster than it reads.
- Seize chaises sèches sur seize arches sèches. A relentless collision of 'sei', 'sèch', and 's' — the tongue can't find traction.
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