IdiomThe Absurd
French
FrenchNe pas tourner rond
Meaning: to be unwell or not functioning properly.
Literally: Not to turn round
Example: “Depuis ce matin, le moteur de la tondeuse ne tourne pas rond.” — Since this morning, the lawnmower's engine hasn't been running right.
Origin: Borrowed from mechanics: an engine tourne rond (turns round) when it runs smoothly and evenly, without knocks or misfires, so one that does not has something wrong inside. Said of a person, it means being unwell or not quite right in the head; said of a situation, that things are going badly. Godard uses it in Pierrot le fou (1965).
More French idioms
- Passer un mauvais quart d’heure to experience a brief but unpleasant or distressing moment.
- Envoyer des piques To make cutting or barbed remarks intended to irritate or provoke someone.
- Prendre le maquis To go into hiding or join a resistance movement to escape authority or persecution.
- Ne pas en croire ses oreilles To be startled or disbelieving upon hearing something astonishing.
- Se composer le visage To adopt a serious or carefully studied expression suited to the circumstances.
- Prendre le train en marche To join opportunely in an action or endeavor already underway.
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