IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchLaid comme un pou
Meaning: Extremely ugly.
Literally: Ugly as a louse
Example: “Ce chien est laid comme un pou, mais c'est le plus affectueux du refuge.” — That dog is ugly as sin, but he's the most affectionate one at the shelter.
English equivalent: Ugly as sin
Equivalents in other languages
English: ugly as sin
Origin: The louse is chosen for being both repellent and unavoidably familiar, an insult available to anyone. French uses the same animal for poverty in gueux comme un pou.
More French idioms
- Cracher dans la soupe To disparage the thing that sustains you.
- Trempé comme une soupe Drenched to the skin.
- Payer rubis sur l'ongle To pay in full, immediately and to the last penny.
- Faire avancer le schmilblick To make actual progress on something.
- Avaler des poires d'angoisse To endure something bitterly painful.
- En cinq sec In no time at all.
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