IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchUn panier percé
Meaning: Someone incapable of holding on to money.
Literally: A pierced basket
Example: “Ne lui confie pas le budget des vacances, c'est un panier percé.” — Don't trust him with the vacation budget; money burns a hole in his pocket.
English equivalent: Money burns a hole in someone's pocket
Equivalents in other languages
Italian: Avere le mani bucate Literally: To have holed hands
English: money burns a hole in someone's pocket
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 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.
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