IdiomFood & Drink
French
FrenchFaire du lèche-vitrine
Meaning: To go window shopping.
Literally: To do window-licking
Example: “Sans un sou en poche, on a fait du lèche-vitrine tout l'après-midi.” — Without a cent in our pockets, we went window shopping all afternoon.
Origin: The compound is deliberately excessive — not looking at the glass but licking it, with the appetite entirely unsatisfied. It dates from the 1930s and the rise of the large shop front.
More French idioms
- L'huile de coude Hard physical effort; elbow grease.
- Couper l'herbe sous le pied de quelqu'un To forestall someone by acting first.
- Ne pas mâcher ses mots To speak with complete bluntness.
- Il faut tourner sept fois sa langue dans sa bouche avant de parler Think carefully before you speak.
- En avoir gros sur le cœur To be full of unspoken hurt or resentment.
- En son for intérieur In one's heart of hearts; in private conscience.
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- Tu as un cœur d'or You are genuinely kind and generous.
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