The French expression “au nez et à la barbe de quelqu’un” translates literally to “at somebody’s nose and beard”. Barbe (f) means beard. Here are the expressions English meanings:
- right under somebody’s nose
- right in front of somebody’s eyes
French meanings include “en présence et en dépit de quelqu’un” (in somebody’s presence at at their chagrin).
Here’s an example sentence:
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- Le prisonnier s’est échappé au nez et à la barbe des gardiens en se déguisant en employé. The prisoner escaped right under the guards’ nose by disguising himself as an employee.
- Le voleur a volé le tableau au nez et à la barbe des gardiens. The thief stole the painting right under the guards’ noses.
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Bonjour! My name is David Issokson. I'm based in Victor, Idaho (near Jackson, Wyoming) and have helped hundreds of students to learn French online since 2013.
