IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchVirer sa cuti
Meaning: To undergo a complete change of convictions.
Literally: To turn one's skin test
Example: “Ancien banquier, il a viré sa cuti et élève maintenant des chèvres.” — A former banker, he did a complete about-face and now raises goats.
English equivalent: To do an about-face
Equivalents in other languages
English: do an about-face
Origin: The cuti-réaction was the tuberculin skin test, and virer sa cuti meant converting from a negative reading to a positive one — a definitive, one-way change of state. It transferred to politics and religion in the 20th century.
More French idioms
- Au débotté On the spot, with no time to prepare.
- Les délices de Capoue Comfort that saps the will to keep fighting.
- Après moi le déluge What happens once I am gone is not my problem.
- Le démon de midi The midlife crisis, especially its romantic form.
- Mentir comme un arracheur de dents To lie brazenly and habitually.
- Dur à la détente Slow to understand — or, in the other sense, reluctant to part with money.
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- Bête comme ses pieds Really not very bright.
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