LIBRARY

HOME - GarageWorkshopOfficeLibraryBathroomLivingNurserySpare
UtilityKitchenGamesMusic - GardenKennel -
SEARCH SITE

 

 Hints and Things does not use any 1st Party cookies - more information

TR00262A.gif (1715 bytes)

FAMILIAR FOREIGN PHRASES AND THEIR MEANINGS

 

There are several words and phrases from different countries which are widely used in our everyday language.  Here are a few of the most popular together with their meanings.

 

ad lib = improvised

ad nauseam = to the point of disgust

al fresco = in the open air

bona fide = in good faith, genuine, sincere

bon vivant - a person who enjoys living life to the full

carte blanche - a free hand

cause célèbre - controversial, public issue

caveat emptor - buyer beware

c'est la vie - That's life

compos mentis - of sound mind

coup de grâce - the finishing stroke

crème de la crème - the best of its kind

cri de coeur - a cry from the heart, a heartfelt plea

fait accompli - something already done

guru - spiritual leader or teacher

infra dig - beneath dignity, vulgar

in toto - as a whole

je ne sais quoi - hard to define or describe

kitsch - sentimental bad taste

modus operandi (abbreviation mo) - way of working

per capita - per person, by head of population

pièce de résistance - most outstanding item

pied-à-terre - a second or temporary home

prima donna - temperamental performer

pro forma - according to or as a matter of form

pundit - an authority in a particular field

raison d'être - the purpose of a thing or action

schmalz - excessive sentimentality

status quo - the existing state of affairs

tant pis - never mind, too bad

tour de force - an exceptionally skilful act

trompe l'oeil - an illusion created to look like reality e.g. a view through a window painted on a brick wall.


 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2000-2020
Hints and Things
All Rights Reserved.



No portion of this site may be reproduced or redistributed without prior written permission from Hints and Things. All trademarks & copyrights throughout Hints and Things remain the property of their respective owners.

Hints and Things cannot be held responsible for any information given on this site nor do they necessarily agree with, or endorse, the views given by third parties.

Library Index - Contents - Contact Us - Home - Disclaimer - Legal - Privacy and Cookie Information
HOME - GarageWorkshopOfficeLibraryBathroomLivingNurserySpare
UtilityKitchenGamesMusic - GardenKennel -
SEARCH SITE