IdiomAnimalsFrench

Un boute-en-train

Meaning: The life and soul of the party.

Literally: A put-in-motion

Example: “Mon oncle est le boute-en-train de toutes les fêtes de famille.” — My uncle is the life of every family party.

English equivalent: The life of the party

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Origin: In breeding, the boute-en-train was the teaser stallion led to a mare to arouse her before the chosen sire was brought in — the animal whose job was to get things going without finishing them. The phrase moved to people who liven up a gathering.

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