IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchMettre pavillon bas
Meaning: To admit defeat.
Literally: To lower the flag
Example: “Face aux preuves, l'accusé a fini par mettre pavillon bas.” — Faced with the evidence, the defendant finally threw in the towel.
English equivalent: To throw in the towel
Other ways to say this
English: throw in the towel
Portuguese: Chutar o balde Literally: To kick the bucket
Swedish: Att kasta yxan i sjön Literally: To throw the axe in the lake
Czech: Házet flintu do žita Literally: To throw the rifle into the rye
Icelandic: Að leggja árar í bát Literally: To lay the oars in the boat- French: Baisser pavillon Literally: To lower the pavilion
- French: Jeter l'éponge Literally: To throw the sponge
Origin: Striking the colors was the recognized naval signal of surrender, and continuing to fight afterwards was a serious offense. The gesture had to be visible, which is what the phrase retains.
More French idioms
- Ne tirez pas sur le pianiste Do not blame the person who is only doing their best with what they were given.
- Qui va piano va sano Slow and steady is the surer way.
- Prendre le train onze To go on foot.
- Vieux comme Mathusalem Extremely old.
- Comme un poisson dans l'eau Completely at ease in one's element.
- Tuer la poule aux œufs d'or To destroy a source of steady profit out of greed for all of it at once.
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