IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchQui dort dîne
Meaning: Sleep takes the place of a meal you cannot afford.
Literally: He who sleeps, dines
Example: “Pas d'argent pour le restaurant ce soir ? Au lit : qui dort dîne.” — No money for a restaurant tonight? Off to bed: sleep will stand in for supper.
Origin: A medieval inn maxim, generally read as innkeepers' logic for charging a guest who took a bed but no supper. The consolation is thin and was probably always meant to be.
More French idioms
- Ne pas tarir d'éloges To praise someone endlessly.
- Une éminence grise The unofficial power behind a public figure.
- À l'emporte-pièce Trenchant and uncompromising, of a remark or judgment.
- Un enfant de la balle Someone raised in the trade they now practice.
- Envers et contre tous In defiance of universal opposition.
- À l'envi Vying with one another; each trying to outdo the rest.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Tu déchires You're awesome — you totally rock.
- Bête comme ses pieds Really not very bright.
- Avoir un poil dans la main To be incurably lazy.
Keep exploring