mint Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2289564/Vicky-Pryce-guilty-perverting-course-justice-taking-ex-husband-Chris-Huhnes-speeding-points.htmlExcuse me for posting two topics in one thread but I've only recently learnt the use of this word "épinglée" which I translate as "nailed" [:D]I do always try to use new words and phrases I have learnt as soon as I possibly can but didn't think I'd have such an early opportunity in this instance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 There is another relevant French expression for this situation: l'arroseur arroséHere is a bit of discussion about it: http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=861900But there is also a French short film involving a gardener, a hosepipe and a boy but I guess we don't need to see it to get the meaning of the tables being turned or I suppose the meaning of what goes around comes around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 But how can one say "what goes around............" and is it understood in French?Ce qu'il tourne, retourne?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkkent Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 [quote user="sweet 17"]http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2289564/Vicky-Pryce-guilty-perverting-course-justice-taking-ex-husband-Chris-Huhnes-speeding-points.htmlExcuse me for posting two topics in one thread but I've only recently learnt the use of this word "épinglée" which I translate as "nailed" [:D]I do always try to use new words and phrases I have learnt as soon as I possibly can but didn't think I'd have such an early opportunity in this instance! [/quote]Have you come across any French expressions for:- Be careful what you wish for ... - Hoist be her own petard ... - Shot herself in the foot ... ?And, I suppose, beware of Greeks bearing gifts ... ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I think I would have saidelle a été épingléeedit: or better still elle a été clouéNailed seems to be a very English way of putting it and I really don't know if that is what the French would say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I think at various times I have heard things said which I equated to those expressions but of course I cannot recall them.Linguée gives many options and I have picked out what I think are the best (with posthumous thanks to Pachapapa for the site)méfiez-vous de vos aspirationss'est pris à son propre piège. s'est tiré dans le piedMéfiez-vous des porteurs de cadeauxAnd for my one which again I did know but couldnt recall:On récolte ce qu'on sème. http://www.linguee.com/english-french/translation/An amazing site I reckon you will agree as it is really meant for technical and business terms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Thanks for that site. Seems v useful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 ditto what Rabbie said. I have bookmarked the site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 The thanks are due to the ex forum member Pachapapa!Its one of my most frequented "favorites".IIRC the references are created by robot bots that trawl all the verified translations of EU and other official documents but I am constantly surprised with how many everyday speech items can be found within.I like that you can read the whole sentence or paragraph to get the correct context. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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