IdiomThe Absurd
French
FrenchPromettre monts et merveilles
Meaning: To promise far more than could ever be delivered.
Literally: To promise mountains and marvels
Example: “Le vendeur nous a promis monts et merveilles, mais la cuisine n'est toujours pas installée.” — The salesman promised us the moon, but the kitchen still isn't installed.
English equivalent: To promise the moon
Other ways to say this
- French: Décrocher la lune Literally: To unhook the moon
English: promise the moon
Origin: The pairing is medieval and deliberately unbounded, offering both the largest physical things and things outside nature. It is used of manifestos and job offers.
More French idioms
- Entre le marteau et l'enclume Caught between two opposing forces with no way out.
- Un pavé dans la mare A revelation or intervention that disturbs a settled situation.
- Il y a de l'orage dans l'air Trouble is brewing.
- Rouler sur l'or To be enormously wealthy.
- Valoir son pesant d'or To be extremely valuable.
- Manu militari By force; with physical compulsion.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Qui se sent morveux, qu'il se mouche If a criticism applies to you, take it to heart.
- Tel est pris qui croyait prendre Those who set traps for others often fall into them themselves.
- À chacun son métier, et les vaches seront bien gardées Things go best when everyone sticks to what they know.
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