La femme de César ne doit pas être soupçonnée
Meaning: Those in public office must be above even the appearance of wrongdoing.
Language: French
Literally: Caesar's wife must not be suspected
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Caesar divorced Pompeia after Clodius was found at a rite forbidden to men, then testified he knew nothing against her — explaining, per Plutarch, that his wife must be free even of suspicion. He was making a point about reputation, not guilt.
More idioms — Daily Life
- Se réduire comme une peau de chagrin — To dwindle away steadily until nothing is left.
- Appuyer sur le champignon — To accelerate hard; to floor it.
- Devoir une fière chandelle à quelqu'un — To owe someone a considerable debt of gratitude.
- Le jeu n'en vaut pas la chandelle — The effort or cost outweighs anything to be gained.
- Tenir la chandelle — To be the awkward third party to a couple.
- Sur les chapeaux de roues — At top speed; also, of a start, immediately and forcefully.
More French idioms
- Avoir voix au chapitre — To have a say in a decision.
- Trouver chaussure à son pied — To find exactly the right match, usually a partner.
- Ne pas y aller par quatre chemins — To come straight to the point.
- Tous les chemins mènent à Rome — There are many routes to the same result.
- Un chevalier d'industrie — A swindler who lives by his wits at others' expense.
- La cheville ouvrière — The linchpin — the person or thing on which an entire operation turns.
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