Une autre paire de manches
Meaning: A different matter entirely; a far harder proposition.
Language: French
Literally: Another pair of sleeves
Category: Food & Drink
Origin: Medieval sleeves were detachable and changed independently of the garment, so a fresh pair genuinely altered the outfit. The phrase kept the sense of something separately and substantially different.
More idioms — Food & Drink
- Faire du lèche-vitrine — To go window shopping.
- C'est la mer à boire — It is an impossible or endless task — most often used in the negative.
- Faire son miel de quelque chose — To turn something to one's own advantage.
- La substantifique moelle — The essential substance of something, reached only by real effort.
- On ne fait pas d'omelette sans casser des œufs — Worthwhile results require some damage along the way.
- Refiler la patate chaude — To hand an awkward problem to someone else.
More French idioms
- L'huile de coude — Hard physical effort; elbow grease.
- Couper l'herbe sous le pied de quelqu'un — To forestall someone by acting first.
- Ne pas mâcher ses mots — To speak with complete bluntness.
- Il faut tourner sept fois sa langue dans sa bouche avant de parler — Think carefully before you speak.
- En avoir gros sur le cœur — To be full of unspoken hurt or resentment.
- En son for intérieur — In one's heart of hearts; in private conscience.
From our proverbs
- When children stand quiet they have done some harm. — Silence from mischievous youth signals they've committed wrongdoing requiring investigati…
- Children are certain cares, but very uncertain comforts. — Parenting demands unwavering responsibility while offspring's gratitude and success remai…
- Children suck the mother when they are young, and the father when they are old. — Offspring depend on maternal care initially, then seek paternal resources and guidance as…
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