IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchPlier bagage
Meaning: To pack up and clear off, usually in a hurry.
Literally: To fold up baggage
Example: “Au premier coup de tonnerre, les campeurs ont plié bagage.” — At the first clap of thunder, the campers packed up and left.
English equivalent: To pull up stakes
Equivalents in other languages
German: die Zelte abbrechen Literally: To break apart the tents
English: pull up stakes
Origin: Military camp language: bagage was the army's gear, and folding it meant striking camp to march or retreat. The hurried, slightly ignominious tone of the retreat has stayed with the phrase.
More French idioms
- Le benjamin The youngest member of a family, team or group.
- C'est la Bérézina A total, chaotic disaster.
- Chercher la petite bête To nitpick; to hunt for a trivial fault.
- Passer sur le billard To undergo surgery.
- Se faire blackbouler To be rejected, voted down or heavily defeated in an election.
- Une arme blanche A bladed weapon, as opposed to a firearm.
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