IdiomFood & Drink
French
FrenchFaire la soupe à la grimace
Meaning: To sulk; to give someone a sour, unwelcoming face, especially at home.
Literally: To make grimace soup
Example: “Quand je rentre tard, ma femme me fait la soupe à la grimace.” — When I come home late, my wife gives me the cold shoulder.
English equivalent: To give someone the cold shoulder
Origin: The image is a meal eaten across from a scowling spouse: la soupe à la grimace was a hostile welcome at home, the evening soup served with a sullen face. The expression does not seem to go back beyond the 20th century, and the idea of the meal has since faded, leaving only the frosty welcome.
Equivalents in other languages
English: give someone the cold shoulder
Spanish: ley del hielo Literally: Law of ice
Dutch: met de nek aankijken Literally: To look at with the neck
More French idioms
- Avoir la bougeotte To be restless; unable to stay put, always wanting to travel or move somewhere new.
- Être aux petits soins To wait on someone hand and foot; to lavish care and attention on them.
- Montrer les dents Displaying aggression, defiance, or readiness to fight.
- Être un ours Being unfriendly, grumpy, and difficult to approach socially.
- Avoir une mémoire d'éléphant Having exceptional ability to remember details over time.
- Avoir une langue de vipère Speaking maliciously, spreading rumors, or being verbally cruel.
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