IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchLe Grenelle de quelque chose
Meaning: A large multi-party negotiation convened to settle a national issue.
Literally: The Grenelle of something
Example: “Le gouvernement a lancé un Grenelle de l'éducation avec syndicats et parents.” — The government launched a national summit on education with unions and parents.
Origin: From the Grenelle agreements of May 1968, negotiated at the labor ministry on rue de Grenelle to end the general strike. France has since held a Grenelle of the environment, of violence, and of several other things.
More French idioms
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- Un violon d'Ingres A serious passion pursued outside one's actual profession.
- Un coup de Jarnac An unexpected decisive stroke, delivered within the rules but not quite sportingly.
- Jeux de mains, jeux de vilains Horseplay ends badly.
- On ne peut être juge et partie Nobody may rule on a matter in which they have an interest.
- Un jugement de Salomon A ruling of great wisdom that exposes the truth by testing it.
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