IdiomThe Absurd
French
FrenchPrendre des vessies pour des lanternes
Meaning: To be grossly deceived about something.
Literally: To take bladders for lanterns
Example: “Si tu crois que ce site te rendra riche en une semaine, tu prends des vessies pour des lanternes.” — If you think that website will make you rich in a week, you think the moon is made of green cheese.
English equivalent: To think the moon is made of green cheese
Equivalents in other languages
English: Origin: Animal bladders were scraped thin and used as cheap translucent covers for lamps, so the confusion was possible without being remotely excusable. The phrase mocks the dupe rather than the trickster.
More French idioms
- Une tempête dans un verre d'eau A great commotion over something trivial.
- Contre vents et marées In the face of every obstacle.
- Autant en emporte le vent Said of promises and words that will come to nothing.
- Aller à vau-l'eau To fall into ruin; to drift towards collapse.
- Se mettre au vert To retreat to the countryside to rest or lie low.
- Une volée de bois vert A severe and public dressing-down.
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