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À tombeau ouvert (At breakneck speed)

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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David Issokson
David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

David Issokson

David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

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