IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchUne république bananière
Meaning: A corrupt, unstable state run for the benefit of a few private interests.
Literally: A banana republic
Example: “Avec ces élections truquées, le pays ressemble à une république bananière.” — With these rigged elections, the country looks like a banana republic.
English equivalent: A banana republic
Equivalents in other languages
English: a banana republic
Origin: Coined by the American writer O. Henry in 1904 for a fictional Honduras, describing countries whose politics were effectively directed by foreign fruit companies. French borrowed the term intact.
More French idioms
- Une arme blanche A bladed weapon, as opposed to a firearm.
- Blanchir de l'argent To launder money.
- Au petit bonheur la chance Haphazardly, leaving the outcome entirely to chance.
- Avoir la bosse de To have a natural gift for something, as in avoir la bosse des maths.
- Rabattre le caquet à quelqu'un To shut someone up; to take an insolent person down a peg.
- Caracoler en tête To lead by a wide margin, especially in a race or in polls.
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