Un coup de Trafalgar
Meaning: A sudden catastrophic reversal, often felt to be underhand.
Language: French
Literally: A Trafalgar blow
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Trafalgar in 1805 destroyed the Franco-Spanish fleet and any prospect of invading Britain. The French phrase carries a distinct note of having been dealt with unfairly, which the historical record does not especially support.
More idioms — Daily Life
- Doré sur tranche — Extremely wealthy; luxuriously appointed.
- Le bout du tunnel — The first sign that a long difficulty is ending.
- Brûler ses vaisseaux — To destroy any possibility of retreat.
- Vérité en deçà des Pyrénées, erreur au-delà — What counts as true depends on which side of a border you stand.
- Un vieux de la vieille — A veteran of long standing.
- En quatrième vitesse — At top speed; as fast as possible.
More French idioms
- Au temps pour moi — My mistake.
- Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard — It's nothing special or impressive.
- C'est comme pisser dans un violon — A completely pointless effort.
- Avoir le cafard — To feel depressed or down.
- Poser un lapin — To stand someone up on a date.
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