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être victime de son succès

Meaning: To suffer problems or difficulties that arise as a result of becoming too successful.

Language: French

Literally: to be victim of one's success

Category: The Absurd

Origin: Origin uncertain; the phrase personifies success as an agent that can victimize or harm the person it has favored.

More idioms — The Absurd

  • ne pas tourner rond — to be unwell or not functioning properly.
  • casser le nez à coups d’encensoir — To offer someone clumsy, exaggerated, and insincere flattery to their face.
  • péter une baloune — To cause deep disappointment; to shatter someone's illusions or hopes.
  • passer d'un excès à l'autre — To swing from one extreme to the opposite extreme without ever finding moderation.
  • fuera de sí — to be in a state of extreme emotion, either elation or distress, such that one loses comp…
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More French idioms

  • ne pas garder les yeux dans sa poche — To be observant and alert; to miss nothing.
  • n’avoir qu’à bien se tenir — A warning or threat implying that one must behave properly or face consequences.
  • battre les fourrés — To range far and wide in search of adventure or chance encounters.
  • donner du poing sur la table — To express strong disagreement or disapproval with a situation.
  • avoir sur les bras — To be burdened with or responsible for someone or something; to be occupied with a demand…
  • recoller les morceaux — to repair a broken relationship or reconcile after a quarrel.

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