IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchLe nerf de la guerre
Meaning: Money, as the thing without which nothing can be done.
Literally: The sinew of war
Example: “Pour lancer une start-up, le nerf de la guerre reste le financement.” — To launch a startup, money is still what makes the world go round.
English equivalent: Money makes the world go round
Origin: From Cicero, who called endless money the sinews of war — nervi belli pecunia infinita. French kept the singular and applies it to election campaigns as readily as to armies.
More French idioms
- À pied d'œuvre On site and ready to begin.
- S'occuper de ses oignons To mind one's own business.
- Pousser des cris d'orfraie To protest with theatrical outrage.
- Un ouvrier de la onzième heure A latecomer who receives the same reward as those who did the work.
- La paille et la poutre Noticing a small fault in others while ignoring a large one in oneself.
- Un homme de paille A front man acting for someone who stays hidden.
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