IdiomFood & Drink
French
FrenchFaire avancer le schmilblick
Meaning: To make actual progress on something.
Literally: To move the schmilblick forward
Example: “Se plaindre en réunion, ça ne fait pas avancer le schmilblick.” — Complaining in meetings doesn't move the needle.
English equivalent: To move the needle
Equivalents in other languages
English: move the needle
Origin: The schmilblick was a nonsense object invented by Pierre Dac in a 1949 radio sketch, defined entirely by contradictions. A 1969 television game show took the name, and Coluche's parody made the phrase permanent.
More French idioms
- Jeter de la poudre aux yeux To create a dazzling false impression.
- Tenir à quelque chose comme à la prunelle de ses yeux To guard something as one's most precious possession.
- Allumer ses quinquets To open one's eyes and pay attention.
- Couper le sifflet à quelqu'un To silence someone abruptly, usually with an unanswerable point.
- Être dans ses petits souliers To be acutely ill at ease.
- Mordre la poussière To be defeated; to fall.
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- Tu as la tête sur les épaules You're grounded, sensible, and dependable — not easily swept off course.
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