mettre ses deux mains au feu
Meaning: To stake one's reputation or safety by guaranteeing something is true.
Language: French
Literally: to put both hands in the fire
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: The phrase evokes the medieval ordeal of putting one's hands into flames as proof of innocence or conviction; to do so is to bet everything on one's word.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- tendre les bras — To offer help and support to someone, or to welcome them warmly.
- compter sur les doigts d’une main — To be so few in number that they can be counted on five fingers or fewer.
- tirer l’oreille — To scold or reprimand someone.
- tirer les oreilles — To scold someone harshly or punish them.
- ne plus savoir où donner de la tête — To be overwhelmed with work or demands.
- avoir les yeux qui sortent de la tête — To stare with eyes wide open in anger or astonishment.
More French idioms
- retourner à la case départ — To find oneself back where one began, as if no progress had been made.
- sentir la naphtaline — To be old-fashioned or antiquated.
- passer maître — To become the foremost expert in something.
- plumer la poule sans la faire crier — To extract money or advantage from someone so skillfully that they do not complain or res…
- faire fureur — To provoke great enthusiasm or widespread popularity.
- pousser les feux — To intensify effort or energy; to redouble one's exertions to achieve a goal.
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