IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchPleurer comme une Madeleine
Meaning: To cry copiously and without restraint.
Literally: To weep like a Magdalene
Example: “À la fin du film, mon père pleurait comme une Madeleine.” — At the end of the movie, my father was crying his eyes out.
English equivalent: To cry one's eyes out
Equivalents in other languages
English: cry one's eyes out
Origin: From Mary Magdalene, who in Luke washes Christ's feet with her tears. The identification of her as a repentant sinner is a later conflation of several biblical women, but it is the version the phrase depends on.
More French idioms
- Des yeux de merlan frit A soppy, languishing look.
- Payer en monnaie de singe To pay with worthless promises instead of money.
- La montagne accouche d'une souris A vast effort or grand announcement produces something trivial.
- La mouche du coche Someone who bustles importantly while contributing nothing.
- On n'attrape pas les mouches avec du vinaigre Gentleness achieves what harshness cannot.
- Prendre la mouche To take sudden and disproportionate offense.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Tu as un cœur d'or You are genuinely kind and generous.
- Tu déchires You're awesome — you totally rock.
- Bête comme ses pieds Really not very bright.
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