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passer d'un excès à l'autre

Meaning: To swing from one extreme to the opposite extreme without ever finding moderation.

Language: French

Literally: to pass from one excess to the other

Category: The Absurd

Origin: Origin uncertain; the phrase pictures moving directly from one extreme behavior to its opposite, without ever settling into moderation.

More idioms — The Absurd

  • fuera de sí — to be in a state of extreme emotion, either elation or distress, such that one loses comp…
  • armar la de san Quintín — to start a violent fight or brawl; to cause a huge commotion.
  • dale que te pego — relentlessly; without stopping or holding back.
  • no haber color — there is no comparison; one option is vastly superior to another.
  • a montones — In vast quantities; abundantly available and unremarkable.
  • crecer como la espuma — To increase or expand very rapidly and dramatically.

More French idioms

  • remettre en selle — To help someone recover a former position or regain their footing after a setback.
  • prendre des gants — To handle a delicate matter with great tact and care to avoid offending someone.
  • remettre en train — To restart or reactivate something that has stopped or slowed down.
  • ça pique — It is very expensive or causes financial pain.
  • vendre chèrement sa peau — To defend oneself fiercely and make a determined stand against those trying to kill you.
  • Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard — It's nothing special or impressive.

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