à tombeau ouvert

The informal French expression “à tombeau ouvert” translates literally to “at or with an open tomb”.

English meanings:

  • at breakneck speed

French meanings:

  • très vite – very fast

Example sentence:

  • J’ai conduit la Mercedes de mon ami en Californie à tombeau ouvert. I drove my friend’s Mercedes in California at breakneck speed.
  • Je n’aime pas conduire à Montréal parce les Québecois conduisent à tombeau ouvert sur l’autoroute. I don’t like to drive in Montreal because the French Canadians drive at breakneck speeds on the highway.

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