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French Idioms - A is for Pomme Quiz

Pierre, your exchange student, has a penchant for using idiomatic French. Even though you studied French in school, you sometimes have trouble understanding him. He agrees to introduce you to an alphabet of idioms, but you have to guess the meanings.

A multiple-choice quiz by lingophilia. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
lingophilia

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
342,215

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
734

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Pierre tells you, "Sophie et H�l�ne sont amies comme cochons." What relationship do Sophie and H�l�ne have with each other? Hint

They are fair-weather friends.

They are thick as thieves.

They have a love-hate relationship.

They are lesbian lovers.

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. I asked Pierre if he was any good at math. He replied, "Je ne suis pas un aigle." How should I rate his math skills? Hint

Pierre is a math professor

Pierre is excellent at math

Pierre is "no great shakes"

Pierre is better at history

3. You are rearranging furniture in your house and Pierre is helping you. He's happy to move chairs and lamps, but when you ask him to help move a large bookcase, he groans and replies, "C'est une autre paire de manches!" What does he mean? Hint

That's another of life's great mysteries!

That's another nail in the coffin.

That's a horse of a different color!

Tomorrow is another day!

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. If Pierre tells me he is "aux abois", is that a good thing?

Yes

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. I ask Pierre what he thinks of his science teacher. He says, "Il a une araign�e au plafond!" What's wrong with his teacher? Hint

He is crazy!

Nothing, he's great!

He is a boring teacher!

He's dead!

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. I'm shopping on eBay when Pierre shakes his head worriedly and comments, "Tu va acheter chat en poche". What is he warning me about? Hint

You're buying a pig in a poke.

You're wasting your time on the internet.

You're spending too much money.

Your eBay rating is very low.

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. I'm very happy to have Pierre staying with me, but sometimes he is so messy! He never cleans up after himself. I tell him he's a slob, and he replies, "Wow! Tu n'y vas pas par quatre chemins!" What is he saying about me? Hint

You're a neat-freak!

You don't beat around the bush!

You're a mean person!

You're just as messy as I am!

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Pierre explains that "�tre aux anges" (or "�tre aux oiseaux" in Canada) means what? Hint

To be dead

To be delighted

To be snobby

To be religious

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. In order to improve his English, Pierre decided to join the debate team. After his first debate, I asked him how he had fared. "Je suis arriv� dans un fauteuil" he answered. Did he win?

Yes

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Pierre doesn't get along with Klaus, the German exchange student at school. One day, Pierre comes home and tells me that when forced to work together as chemistry lab partners, "nous avons accord� nos violons". What have Klaus and Pierre done? Hint

They have come to blows.

They have come to an agreement.

They are giving each other the silent treatment.

They got an A on their science project.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Pierre tells you, "Sophie et H�l�ne sont amies comme cochons." What relationship do Sophie and H�l�ne have with each other?

Answer: They are thick as thieves.

Literal translation: They are "friends like pigs." This expression is an old one, and originates from a calembour (word-play or pun) in 16th century French. The original was "so�ons comme cochons", where "so�ons" meant companion or associate.

2. I asked Pierre if he was any good at math. He replied, "Je ne suis pas un aigle." How should I rate his math skills?

Answer: Pierre is "no great shakes"

The literal translation is "I'm no eagle". Generally, this can mean "no great shakes" or "no genius".

Answer: That's a horse of a different color!

Literal translation: That's another pair of sleeves. Besides "horse of a different color", this phrase is also comparable to "another kettle of fish". The French version of the idiom originated in the 16th century when women's dress sleeves were detachable and were often given to a knight as a sign of fidelity. "Another pair of sleeves" suggests infidelity or something very different.

4. If Pierre tells me he is "aux abois", is that a good thing?

Answer: No

Literal translation: baying. This idiom refers to an animal being trapped "amid the baying" of a group of hunting dogs. An English equivalent would be "in dire straits".

5. I ask Pierre what he thinks of his science teacher. He says, "Il a une araign�e au plafond!" What's wrong with his teacher?

Answer: He is crazy!

Literal translation: He has a spider on the ceiling. English approximations are "bats in the belfry" and "a screw loose".

6. I'm shopping on eBay when Pierre shakes his head worriedly and comments, "Tu va acheter chat en poche". What is he warning me about?

Answer: You're buying a pig in a poke.

Literal translation: You're buying a cat in a sack. The same idiom exists in German.

Answer: You don't beat around the bush!

Literal translation: You don't go by four paths, meaning you are blunt and get straight to the point.

8. Pierre explains that "�tre aux anges" (or "�tre aux oiseaux" in Canada) means what?

Answer: To be delighted

Literal translation: to be with angels/birds. English approximations would be "pleased as Punch", "in seventh heaven", or "on cloud nine".

9. In order to improve his English, Pierre decided to join the debate team. After his first debate, I asked him how he had fared. "Je suis arriv� dans un fauteuil" he answered. Did he win?

Answer: Yes

Literal translation: "I arrived in a couch". This phrase means that he not only won, but did so with great ease.

Answer: They have come to an agreement.

Literal translation: "We tuned our violins", meaning they agreed to get along together.

Source: Author lingophilia

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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