The French expression “cracher dans la soupe” translates literally to “to spit in the soup”.
English meanings:
- to bite the hand that feeds you
- to be ungrateful towards somebody you depend on
French meanings:
- critiquer ce qui permet d’assurer sa subsistance – to criticize that which assures subsistence.
Example sentence:
- Quand t’offre un nouvel emploi il ne fait jamais cracher dans la soupe. When you’re given a new job you must never bite the hand that feeds you.
Synonyms:
- mordre la main qui nous nourrit – Lit: to bite the hand that feeds us (French-Canadian expression)
Related expression:
scier la branche sur laquelle on est assis – Lit: to saw off the branch on which one is seated (to shoot oneself in the foot).
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David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on his site, FrenchLearner.com, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.
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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.
