Prendre des vessies pour des lanternes
Meaning: To be grossly deceived about something.
Language: French
Literally: To take bladders for lanterns
Category: The Absurd
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 idioms — The Absurd
- Être piqué de la tarentule — To be seized by frantic, uncontrollable agitation.
- Tonnerre de Brest ! — An exclamation of astonishment or annoyance.
- En voiture, Simone ! — Right then, off we go.
- Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard — It's nothing special or impressive.
- C'est comme pisser dans un violon — A completely pointless effort.
- Da steppt der Bär — It's going to be a great party.
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.
From our false friends
- Blesser — Actually means 'to wound' or 'to injure'. Je suis blessé = I am injured — not blessed.
- Location — Actually means 'rental'. Une location de voiture = a car rental. For location (place), sa…
- Assister — Actually means 'to attend' an event. J'assiste à la réunion = I attend the meeting. For a…
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