IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchGagner ses éperons
Meaning: To prove oneself and earn recognition.
Literally: To win one's spurs
Example: “Le jeune chef a gagné ses éperons dans les cuisines d'un grand hôtel.” — The young chef earned his spurs in the kitchens of a grand hotel.
English equivalent: To earn one's spurs
Equivalents in other languages
English: earn one's spurs
Origin: Gilt spurs were conferred at knighting and were the visible mark of the rank, struck off in a public degradation if the knight disgraced himself. Earning them meant having demonstrated something rather than merely been given it.
More French idioms
- Un cordon-bleu An outstanding cook.
- Il y a loin de la coupe aux lèvres Much can still go wrong between intention and result.
- Né avec une cuillère d'argent dans la bouche Born into wealth and advantage.
- Des économies de bouts de chandelle Petty economies that save nothing worth having.
- Un étouffe-chrétien Food so dense and stodgy it is hard to swallow.
- Mettre de l'eau dans son vin To moderate one's demands or soften one's position.
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- Charbonnier est maître chez soi Everyone, however humble, is in charge in their own home.
- Faute d'un point, Martin perdit son âne A tiny mistake can cost you dearly.
- Après la pluie, le beau temps Bad times are followed by good ones.
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