IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchUn combat homérique
Meaning: A struggle of epic scale and duration.
Literally: A Homeric combat
Example: “La finale s'est transformée en combat homérique de cinq heures.” — The final turned into an epic five-hour battle.
Origin: From the Iliad, whose single combats run for hundreds of lines and involve the gods taking sides. Sports writing keeps the phrase in constant employment.
More French idioms
- Jeux de mains, jeux de vilains Horseplay ends badly.
- On ne peut être juge et partie Nobody may rule on a matter in which they have an interest.
- Un jugement de Salomon A ruling of great wisdom that exposes the truth by testing it.
- C'est kif-kif It makes no difference at all.
- Une fine lame A highly skilled practitioner.
- Sur l'air des lampions Chanted rhythmically on three insistent notes, as a crowd does.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Peau de vache A mean, difficult, and unpleasant person — tough and unyielding like tanned hide.
- Tu as une cervelle de moineau You're scatterbrained and forgetful.
- Tu es mon rayon de soleil A warm way to tell someone they brighten your day.
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