IdiomFood & DrinkFrench

Faire son miel de quelque chose

Meaning: To turn something to one's own advantage.

Literally: To make one's honey from something

Example: “Le romancier fait son miel des conversations entendues dans le train.” — The novelist treats the conversations he overhears on the train as grist to his mill.

English equivalent: All grist to the mill

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: Bees make honey from whatever is available, indifferent to the source. The phrase carries a faint suggestion that the profiteer is equally indifferent.

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