
IdiomDaily Life
French
Une chiffe molle
Meaning: A spineless person with no will of their own.
Literally: A soft rag
Example: “Face à son propriétaire, il se comporte comme une chiffe molle.” — In front of his landlord, he acts like a total pushover.
Origin: A chiffe is a limp scrap of cloth, and the doubling with molle makes the point twice over. The phrase attacks the absence of resistance rather than any particular failing.
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- Donner de la confiture à un cochon To waste something fine on someone incapable of appreciating it.
- Un corbeau The anonymous author of poison-pen letters.
- Bayer aux corneilles To stand around idly, staring into space.
- Un panier de crabes A group whose members constantly undermine one another.
- Chat échaudé craint l'eau froide One bad experience makes you wary even where there is no danger.
- Une faim de loup Ravenous hunger.
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- L'union fait la force People who stand together are stronger than any of them alone.
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