IdiomBody & Senses
French
FrenchLe petit doigt sur la couture du pantalon
Meaning: Standing rigidly to attention; obeying without question.
Literally: Little finger on the trouser seam
Example: “Devant le général, les recrues se tenaient le petit doigt sur la couture du pantalon.” — In front of the general, the recruits stood rigidly to attention.
English equivalent: To toe the line
Equivalents in other languages
English: toe the line
Origin: The position of attention in French military drill places the hands flat against the thighs with the little fingers aligned on the trouser seams. Used of civilians, it is always mocking.
More French idioms
- Se croire sorti de la cuisse de Jupiter To have an absurdly high opinion of one's own importance.
- Le tonneau des Danaïdes A hopeless undertaking that consumes everything and is never finished.
- Au diable vauvert Miles from anywhere; the back of beyond.
- Il n'y a pas le feu au lac There's no rush.
- Par l'opération du Saint-Esprit By some unexplained miracle — said sarcastically of something nobody will account for.
- Au creux de la vague At a low point, with the expectation that things will rise again.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Tête de linotte A scatterbrain who can't hold a thought.
- Courir sur le haricot To get badly on someone's nerves.
- Tu as du chien You have a certain irresistible magnetism — a je-ne-sais-quoi that draws people in.
Keep exploring