perfidious Albion
Meaning: A mocking name for England or Britain as treacherous and untrustworthy.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “When the trade deal collapsed, the Paris papers were quick to blame perfidious Albion.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: "Albion" is an ancient name for Britain. The French phrase la perfide Albion was popularized in the late 18th century, around the Revolutionary wars, and passed into English as a quotation used ironically.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: La perfide Albion — literally: Perfidious Albion
More idioms — Daily Life
- the be-all and end-all — The most important thing, or the only thing that matters.
- year in, year out — Continually, every year without change.
- sign one's own death warrant — To do something that will cause one's own ruin.
- child's play — Something very easy to do.
- at death's door — Very close to dying, or feeling extremely ill.
- play devil's advocate — To argue against something, not out of belief, but to test the argument.
More English idioms
- the die is cast — A decision has been made and cannot be undone.
- sell one's soul to the devil — To give up one's principles in exchange for money, power or success.
- eat humble pie — To admit one was wrong and apologize humbly.
- every which way — In all directions, in disorder.
- a Tower of Babel — A noisy scene where many people speak different languages, or a confusion of voices.
- long time no see — A friendly greeting to someone one has not seen for a long time.
From our proverbs
- Evening orts are good morning fodder. — Leftovers from tonight's meal become tomorrow's sustenance, teaching resourcefulness and…
- Some are wise, and some are otherwise. — Intelligence distributes unevenly among people; foolishness is as common as wisdom.
- Do what thou ought, let come what may. — Fulfill your moral duties regardless of feared consequences or uncertain outcomes.