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Avaler des couleuvres (To accept something against your will)

Avaler des couleuvres (To accept something against your will)

Avaler des couleuvres is a French idiom that translates literally to “to swallow garter snakes” and means both “to accept something against your will” and “to have something forced on you”. Another meaning is “to be easily persuaded”.

Avaler des couleuvres

Avaler des couleuvres - to accept something against your will

Example sentences

Marie ne voulait pas se marier avec Pierre: elle a dû avaler les couleuvres.

Marie didn’t want to marry Pierre. She had to do it against her will.

Le patron n’arrête pas de me donner de nouvelles responsabilités. J’en ai assez d’avaler des couleuvres.

The boss does stop giving me new responsibilities. I’ve have enough of having things forced on me.

Expression origin

This idiom originated in the 17th century. The couleuvre or the grass snake is a metaphor for the snake in the biblical story of Genesis. The snake got Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and represents the art of persuasion.

More idioms with animals

Reference

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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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