IdiomBody & Senses
French
FrenchIl faut tourner sept fois sa langue dans sa bouche avant de parler
Meaning: Think carefully before you speak.
Literally: One must turn one's tongue seven times in one's mouth before speaking
Example: “Avant de répondre à ton patron, il faut tourner sept fois ta langue dans ta bouche.” — Before you reply to your boss, think hard before you speak.
Origin: The number is the conventional seven of proverbs rather than a real count, and the physical absurdity is what makes it memorable. It is usually quoted after the damage is done.
More French idioms
- À la Saint-Glinglin Never — on a day that will never come.
- Une guerre picrocholine A furious conflict over something trivial.
- Est-ce que je te demande si ta grand-mère fait du vélo ? Mind your own business — a retort to an intrusive question.
- Décrocher la lune To achieve the impossible — or, promised, to offer what cannot be delivered.
- Tomber comme à Gravelotte To come down thick and fast, of rain or of blows.
- Veiller au grain To stay alert for trouble.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- La beauté ne se mange pas en salade Good looks alone don't put food on the table or make a good partner.
- On ne change pas une équipe qui gagne Don't change something that's working.
- La curiosité est un vilain défaut Being too curious about others' business is a bad habit.
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