Common Foreign Words And Phrases 9 Quiz

Answer: Fully informed

The French phrase AU FAIT literally means 'to the point'. The phrase also means 'expert' and 'fully informed'. The French word 'au' means 'at the' and the word 'fait' means 'fact'. In British English it is used to mean 'familiar' or 'conversant'. E.g., 'The rest of the class were not really au fait with my ideas about the new curriculum'.

Answer: Reminder of death

The Latin phrase MEMENTO MORI means 'remember you must die'. The New Latin word 'memento' means 'remember' and the word 'mori' means 'to die'. It is a phrase used to remind us of our mortality. E.g., 'the skull rested on the shelf as a memento mori'.

Answer: Appropriate word

The French phrase MOT JUSTE means 'the appropriate word or expression'. The Word 'mot' means 'word' and the word 'juste' means 'right'. E.g., "'Rats!', screamed the defiant three year old, immensely proud of his mot juste'.(Online Dictionary)

Answer: Grandmother

The Russian word BABUSHKA means 'grandmother' and 'old woman'. A babushka is also a scarf worn by peasant women, which is worn over the head and tied under the chin. The word 'babushka' is diminutive of 'baba' which means 'old woman'. Babushka was also the nickname of the Russian revolutionary Catherine Breshkovsky. Babushka dolls are popular Russian souvenirs, that contain many varying sized dolls that fit into the one main doll.

Answer: Unacceptable person

The Latin phrase PERSONA NON GRATA means 'unacceptable or unwelcome person'. It is a phrase that is also used for a diplomat who is not accepted by the government to whom he/she is credited. The Latin word 'persona' means 'person', the word 'non' means 'not' and the word 'grata' means 'acceptable'. E.g., 'once I was cut out of the will, I became persona non grata among my relatives'.(Online Dictionary)

Answer: Something for something

The Latin phrase QUID PRO QUO means 'something for something'. It refers to anything that is given in exchange for something else. The Latin word 'quid' means 'something', the word 'pro' means 'for' and the word 'quo' is ablative of 'quid' meaning 'something'. E.g., 'when he received his settlement, he vowed that he would pay back the family's help quid pro quo'.

Answer: Unknown land

The Latin phrase TERRA INCOGNITA means 'an unexplored land' and 'unknown area of study'. The Latin word 'terra' means 'land' and the word 'incognita' means 'unknown'. E.g., 'when the topic switched from mechanical engineering to the best brand of baby formula, the tutor felt himself entering terra incognito'.

Answer: Brilliant stroke

The French phrase TOUR DE FORCE means 'a masterly or brilliant stroke, creation, effect or accomplishment'. The phrase literally means 'feat of skill or strength'. The French word 'tour' means 'turn' or 'feat', the word 'de' means 'of' and the word 'force' means 'strength'. E.g., 'In an extraordinary structural tour de force, the novel maintains a dual focus'.(Julian Moynahan)

Answer: Everything considered

The French phrase TOUT ENSEMBLE means 'all in all', 'everything considered' and 'total impression or effect'. The word 'ensemble' means 'the whole' and the word 'tout' means 'quite' and 'very much'. It is a phrase that refers to a collection of parts or details (as in a work of art) considered as forming a whole. E.g., Tout ensemble, the choice of color hasn't affected the greatness of the painting at all'.

Answer: Seductive woman

The French phrase FEMME FATALE means 'seductive woman'. The phrase refers to women who seduce and lure men into a loving situation, that usually results in distress for the man. The word 'femme' means 'woman' and the word 'fatale' means 'deadly'.