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Un panier percé

Meaning: Someone incapable of holding on to money.

Language: French

Literally: A pierced basket

Category: Daily Life

Origin: Whatever is put in runs straight out, and the fault is the container's rather than the amount's. It is said with more affection than most French words for spendthrift.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • Le parcours du combattant — A gruelling series of obstacles.
  • La flèche du Parthe — A wounding remark delivered while leaving.
  • Graisser la patte — To bribe someone.
  • Le haut du pavé — The most privileged position in society.
  • Mettre pavillon bas — To admit defeat.
  • Dire pis que pendre de quelqu'un — To speak extremely ill of someone.

More French idioms

  • Remettre les pendules à l'heure — To set the record straight and restore order.
  • Ce n'est pas le Pérou — It is not a fortune; it is nothing to get excited about.
  • Un pétard mouillé — A revelation that was supposed to explode and did not.
  • Peu ou prou — More or less; to some degree.
  • Y a pas photo — It's not even close; there is no question about it.
  • Ne tirez pas sur le pianiste — Do not blame the person who is only doing their best with what they were given.

From our untranslatable words

  • Épanouissement — The full flourishing of a person — blooming into your most complete, radiant self. More t…
  • Ressourcement — The act of returning to one's roots or origins to find renewal — going back to a place, t…
  • Dépaysement — The disorienting yet often pleasant feeling of being far from home, immersed in the unfam…

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