IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchVendre son âme au diable
Meaning: To sacrifice one's principles for power, wealth or success.
Literally: To sell one's soul to the devil
Example: “Pour devenir célèbre, le chanteur a vendu son âme au diable.” — To become famous, the singer sold his soul to the devil.
English equivalent: To sell one's soul to the devil
Equivalents in other languages
English: sell one's soul to the devil
Origin: From the medieval pact legend that reached its definitive form in the Faust story, printed in 1587 and later taken up by Marlowe and Goethe. The bargain always grants what was asked and always collects.
More French idioms
- Un homme de l'art A qualified professional, especially a physician.
- C'est du grand art That is masterfully done.
- L'enfance de l'art Utterly elementary; child's play.
- À l'article de la mort At the very point of dying.
- De bon augure A promising sign; its opposite, de mauvais augure, means ominous.
- Mesurer à l'aune de To judge something by a particular standard.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Quel râleur / quelle râleuse You never stop moaning — everything is a complaint, nothing is ever good enough.
- Peau de vache A mean, difficult, and unpleasant person — tough and unyielding like tanned hide.
- Tu as une cervelle de moineau You're scatterbrained and forgetful.
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