(To). To squander; to put out of the way; to murder. The French verb défaire is used sometimes in a similar way; as, “Il tâcha de se défaire secrètement de ses pariers.” Make away with…
(4 syl.). An imitation of the style of Marivaux (1688-1763). He wrote several comedies and novels. “Il tombe souvent dans une métaphysique alambiqué [far-fetched, over-strained] pour…
and Sycomore. Sycamore is the plane-tree of the maple family (Acer pseudo-platanus, or greater maple). The sycomore is the Egyptian fig-tree (Greek, sukomoros, sukos, a fig). The tree into…
To live a cat and dog life. To be always snarling and quarrelling, as a cat and dog, whose aversion to each other is intense. “There will be jealousies, and a cat-and-dog life over yonder…
A cock-and-bull story; idle nonsense, as “Il fait toujours des coq-à-l'âne ”- he is always doing silly things, or talking rubbish. Il m'a répondu par un coq-à-l'âne —His reply was nothing…
Red-handed; in the very fact. “Il a été pris en flagrant délit”, i.e. “Sur le fait.” In for a Penny in for a Pound I may as well “be hung for a sheep as a lamb.” If the punishment is the…
A type of cunning dexterity, and intrigue. The character is in the Barbier de Séville and Mariage de Figaro, by Beaumarchais. In the former he is a barber, and in the latter a valet; but…
To cut a figure. This phrase seems applicable more especially to dress and outward bearing. To make a figure is rather to make a name or reputation, but the distinction is not sharply…
