IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchUne victoire à la Pyrrhus
Meaning: A win whose cost makes it indistinguishable from defeat.
Literally: A Pyrrhic victory
Example: “Le club a gagné le procès, mais les frais d'avocat l'ont ruiné : une victoire à la Pyrrhus.” — The club won the lawsuit, but the legal fees ruined it: a Pyrrhic victory.
English equivalent: A Pyrrhic victory
Equivalents in other languages
English: a Pyrrhic victory
Origin: Pyrrhus of Epirus beat the Romans at Asculum in 279 BC and is reported to have said another such victory would finish him. He was right, and lost the war.
More French idioms
- Un remède de bonne femme A folk cure of doubtful value.
- Tirer sa révérence To take one's leave, with a show of formality.
- À tour de rôle Each in turn.
- Un rond-de-cuir A petty bureaucrat.
- Au bout du rouleau Completely exhausted; at the end of one's resources.
- Hommes de sac et de corde Thorough scoundrels.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Tu as le vent en poupe Everything is going your way — you're riding a wave of momentum and success.
- Tu es un as You're brilliant at what you do — the very best.
- Tu as de la répartie You're brilliantly quick-witted — always ready with the perfect comeback.
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