ne pas en croire ses oreilles
Meaning: To be startled or disbelieving upon hearing something astonishing.
Language: French
Literally: to not be able to believe one's ears
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: The phrase pictures the ears as the gateway of belief; shock makes them seem unreliable.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- se composer le visage — To adopt a serious or carefully studied expression suited to the circumstances.
- être de mauvais poil — To be in a bad mood or irritable disposition.
- se casser la figure — To fall to the ground; to have an accident or suffer a collapse.
- joindre le geste à la parole — To back up what you say with action; to keep your promises.
- se payer la tête de quelqu'un — To mock or ridicule someone.
- avoir les sangs tournés — To be profoundly shocked or horrified.
More French idioms
- prendre le train en marche — To join opportunely in an action or endeavor already underway.
- aiguiser ses couteaux — To prepare oneself for conflict or confrontation.
- passer le Rubicon — To make a decisive, irrevocable commitment or choice with serious consequences.
- être à ramasser à la petite cuiller — To be completely exhausted, utterly without strength.
- casser le nez à coups d’encensoir — To offer someone clumsy, exaggerated, and insincere flattery to their face.
- péter une baloune — To cause deep disappointment; to shatter someone's illusions or hopes.
Loading the full interactive collection…