IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchSe laisser tondre la laine sur le dos
Meaning: To let oneself be exploited without resisting.
Literally: To let oneself be shorn of the wool on one's back
Example: “Elle fait toutes les heures sup sans être payée ; elle se laisse tondre la laine sur le dos.” — She works every bit of overtime without pay; she lets everyone walk all over her.
English equivalent: To be a doormat
Equivalents in other languages
English: be a doormat
Origin: The sheep is the standard figure for profitable passivity, and the phrase places the blame on the animal for permitting it. It is said of taxpayers and employees more than of anyone else.
More French idioms
- À la fortune du pot Taking potluck; sharing whatever happens to be cooking.
- Séparer le bon grain de l'ivraie To distinguish what is valuable from what is worthless.
- Se demander si c'est du lard ou du cochon To be unable to tell what something is or how it is meant.
- Une autre paire de manches A different matter entirely; a far harder proposition.
- Faire du lèche-vitrine To go window shopping.
- L'huile de coude Hard physical effort; elbow grease.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Bien mal acquis ne profite jamais What is gained dishonestly brings no lasting good.
- Chaque chose en son temps Deal with things one at a time, when the right moment comes.
- À chacun son goût Everyone has their own preferences, and that's fine.
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