IdiomThe Absurd
French
FrenchUn lit de Procuste
Meaning: A standard imposed regardless of what it does to the thing being measured.
Literally: A bed of Procrustes
Example: “Ce formulaire unique est un lit de Procuste pour les artisans, qui ne rentrent dans aucune case.” — This one-size-fits-all form is a Procrustean bed for craftspeople, who don't fit any of its boxes.
English equivalent: A Procrustean bed
Equivalents in other languages
English: a Procrustean bed
Origin: Procrustes offered travelers a bed and made them fit it, stretching the short and cutting down the tall. Theseus killed him by the same method, which is the part usually left out.
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- Mettre à pied To suspend someone from their duties.
- Jeter la première pierre To be the first to condemn someone.
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