| CARTE BLANCHE |
|
Unlimited authority, absolute freedom. A signed sheet of paper given
to another to be filled up as he pleases. |
| MÉALLIANCE |
|
A bad match. A marriage made with someone who is socially inferior.
|
| SPÉCIALITÉ DE LA MAISON |
|
An appetizing dish for which the house (or restaurant) is famous.
|
| LE DERNIER CRI |
|
The latest word; the latest thing. The latest fashion.
|
| TOUR DE FORCE |
|
A feat of strength; an exhibition of skill.
|
| SAVOIR-FAIRE |
|
The knowing how to do or act; tact.
|
| RAISON D’ÊTRE |
|
Reason for existence.
|
| PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE |
|
The main dish of a meal, also the chief article of any series or
collection. |
| NOBLESSE OBLIGE |
|
Nobleness of conduct is expected from those who are well born.
Rank entails responsibilty. |
| NOUVEAU RICHE |
|
A person lately becomes wealthy; often connoting vulgarity.
|
| HORS DE COMBAT |
|
Out of the combat; disabled.
|
| FAIT ACCOMPLI |
|
A thing already done; something accomplished.
|
| FAUX PAS |
|
A false step; especially an offense against convention.
|
| ENTRE NOUS |
|
Between ourselves; confidentially.
|
| HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE |
|
Evil be to him who evil thinks. (The motto of the Order of the
Garter) |
| HORS D’OEUVRE |
|
An appetizer; a relish.
|
| LAISSEZ FAIRE |
|
Let people do what they choose, hence as a noun, non interference
of government in matters of trade and industry.
|
| MAL DE MER |
|
Seasickness.
|
| NOM DE PLUME |
|
An author’s assumed name; a pen name.
|
| `A LA CARTE |
|
By the card, or bill of fare; used to designate a meal in which
each dish is paid for at a specified price. (Opposite of TABLE D’HÔTE)
|
| BÊTE NOIRE |
|
A bugbear; an object of aversion. (Literally...black beast)
|
| COUP D’ÉTAT |
|
A sudden act in politics, as the overthrow of the existing government.
|
| COUP DE GRÂCE |
|
A finishing stroke. Any decisive action that settles a difficult
situation. (The last straw!)
|
| ENFANT TERRIBLE |
|
A terrible child; one who makes embarrassing remarks.
|
| ENTENTE CORDIALE |
|
A cordial understanding; used especially of relations existing between
governments.
|
| CUL-DE-SAC |
|
A trap; a blind alley; a passage open only at one end.
|
| AU COURANT |
|
Up-to-date; advised; informed.
|
| CHACUN À SON GOÛT |
|
Each to his own taste.
|
| EN RAPPORT |
|
In agreement, in sympathy; in harmony.
|
| CHERCHEZ LA FEMME |
|
(Literally...look for the woman.) There’s a woman in the case.
|
| VIVE LE ROI! |
|
Long live the king!
|
| BON VOYAGE |
|
Good journey; farewell; good luck.
|
| VIS-À-VIS |
|
One who is face to face with another; opposite.
|
| CHAISE LONGUE |
|
A kind of a sofa or lounge with a rest for the back at one end only.
|
| AU REVOIR |
|
Till we meet again; goodbye; implying that the separation is to
be temporary. (Distinguished from ADIEU, which implies a final leavetaking.)
|
| C’EST LA VIE |
|
That is life.
|
| À VOTRE SANTÉ |
|
To your health; sometimes given as a toast.
|
| BON APPÉTIT! |
|
May you enjoy your meal; have a good appetite.
|
| JOIE DE VIVRE |
|
A joyful feeling at being alive.
|
| ESPRIT DE CORPS |
|
A spirit binding together the members of an organization; comradeship.
|
| AVANT-GARDE |
|
Those who are in advance of the general public. (In a military sense,
a group that precedes the great mass of the troupe letting it know the
position of the enemy).
|
| JEU DE MOTS |
|
Play on words; a pun.
|
| RENDEZ-VOUS |
|
An appointed place of meeting; an appointment for a meeting at an
appointed time and place.
|
| AU CONTRAIRE |
|
On the contrary.
|
| OBJET D’ART |
|
A work of artistic merit.
|
| GRÂCE À DIEU |
|
Thanks be to God.
|
| RÉPONDEZ S’IL VOUS PLAÎT (R.S.V.P.) |
|
Reply if you please.
|
| AFFAIRE DU COEUR |
|
An affair of the heart; a love affair.
|
| DE NIMES |
|
From which we get DENIM, the cloth originating from the City of Nimes.
|