idioms

[Patf]

Are there french equivalents for:

"No hard feelings."

"It takes one to know one."

Hoping someone can help - Pat.

[Weegie]

"No hard feelings!" - "sans rancune!"

"It takes one to know one" - "qui se ressemble s'assemble?" (Also used for "Birds of a feather" )

[plod]

What about "Dream on!" and "I wish!"?

[Weegie]

For "dream on" would go for "dans tes rêves". 

"I wish" perhaps the same "comme je voudrais" with the same intonation. 

Someone will probably come up with a better idea.

[5-element]

For "I wish", try "Si seulement!" ("I wish!").

Definitely not 'comme je voudrais' (désolée!)

[Weegie]

Did say someone would come up with a better one. [:D][;-)]

[Cat]

Am I the only one who wonders if Patf and Plod are having some kind of coded argument with each other?

[Weegie]

Now that you mention it.[:D][:D]

[5-element]

[quote user="Weegie"]Did say someone would come up with a better one. [:D][;-)]
[/quote]

Just trying to help, Weegie. This is one of the very (very) few areas where I can.[:)]

[Weegie]

Absolutely no sweat,[:D][:D]

[Christine Animal]

Pas de panique.   [8-|]

 

[Clair]

Tu parles![;-)]

[Polremy]

too modest.

i have read lots of your posts and they have been really instructive!

[Polremy]

that was addressed to 5 - element.

didn't realise that others had written in between!

[5-element]

Polremy, thank you, you made me blush - first thing in the morning too!

[Patf]

Just remembered I asked this one - interesting answers. I do love idioms, and the fact that they seem similar in the two languages.

I'm trying to compose a farewell speech to our insurance agent, who is a most irritable, rude, awkward man. We've finally changed to another company . I don't know whether to mention the upset caused by him accusing my husband of escroquerie - reason for "it takes one to know one". Or just to part on good terms.  I like the use of rancune, like the english rancour. Or whether to say nothing, just leave.

[Kitty]

I recently bought from The Book Depository "101 French Idioms".  Excellent value at GBP3-11 including p&p.  Hilariously illustrated, each idiom has french language examples of use, plus full English translation at rear of book.

[Patf]

Will have a look at that, Kitty. Thanks.

[odile]

si seulement = si au moins

[tegwini]

On the tip of your tongue =  presque vu (almost seen) - a bit yuk maybe?

Regards

Tegwini

[Clair]

[quote user="tegwini"]On the tip of your tongue =  presque vu (almost seen)[/quote]

New to me... [8-)]

On the tip of your tongue = sur le bout de la langue

[5-element]

New to me too... I wonder if there is a story behind this????

[tegwini]

Story behind this ... ?   noted in Times or Telegraph & verified with a French friend

Tegwini

[Cat]

This Telegraph article? 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/portal/2008/09/06/ftqi106.xml   (last paragraph)

Sounds like it is the technical term for "on the tip of the tongue", although, like some other phrases borrowed from the French language (en-suite for a bathroom adjoining a bedroom, for example) perhaps it is not something that the French themselves use?

[Clair]

Definitely never ever heard "presque vu" used in this context, but after reading the mention in the article, I wonder if the French translation actually refers to a French expression...?