IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchTrouver son chemin de Damas
Meaning: To undergo a sudden and total conversion.
Literally: To find one's road to Damascus
Example: “Ce grand fumeur a trouvé son chemin de Damas et milite contre le tabac.” — The former heavy smoker had his road to Damascus moment and now campaigns against tobacco.
English equivalent: A road to Damascus moment
Equivalents in other languages
German: sein Damaskus erleben Literally: To experience one's Damascus
English: a road to Damascus moment
Origin: From Acts, where Saul is struck blind on the road to Damascus and rises as Paul. The phrase insists on the abruptness — the change is not reached by argument but arrives all at once.
More French idioms
- Après moi le déluge What happens once I am gone is not my problem.
- Le démon de midi The midlife crisis, especially its romantic form.
- Mentir comme un arracheur de dents To lie brazenly and habitually.
- Dur à la détente Slow to understand — or, in the other sense, reluctant to part with money.
- Qui paye ses dettes s'enrichit Settling what you owe leaves you better off than owing it.
- Faire son deuil de quelque chose To accept that something is lost and give up on it.
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