IdiomThe Absurd
French
FrenchLe tonneau des Danaïdes
Meaning: A hopeless undertaking that consumes everything and is never finished.
Literally: The barrel of the Danaids
Example: “Renflouer cette vieille usine, c'est le tonneau des Danaïdes.” — Propping up that old factory is a bottomless pit.
English equivalent: A bottomless pit
Equivalents in other languages
Polish: studnia bez dna Literally: A well without a bottom
English: a bottomless pit
Origin: The forty-nine daughters of Danaus, who murdered their husbands on their wedding night, were condemned in the underworld to fill a vessel riddled with holes. It is used of budgets more than of myths.
More French idioms
- Au creux de la vague At a low point, with the expectation that things will rise again.
- Nager entre deux eaux To avoid committing to either side.
- Une coupe sombre A drastic reduction, especially of staff or budget.
- Nettoyer les écuries d'Augias To clear up a vast accumulated mess, usually of corruption.
- Aux quatre coins de All over; in every part of a place.
- Frappé au coin du bon sens Manifestly sensible; bearing the stamp of sound judgment.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Un chien regarde bien un évêque Even the humblest person has some rights in front of the powerful.
- Un coup de langue est pire qu'un coup de lance Hurtful words do more harm than physical blows.
- Prudence est mère de sûreté Being careful is what keeps you safe.
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