IdiomDaily LifeFrench

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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