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En deux coups de cuillère à pot (In no time)

The French expression “en deux coups de cuillère à pot” translates directly to “in two ladle fulls from the pot.”

English meanings:

  • in no time
  • in two shakes of a lamb’s tale

French meaning:

  • très rapidement, sans difficulté – very quickly, without difficulty

Note: that you an also say, “en trois coups de cuillère à pot” (in three ladle fulls from the pot). The metaphor is that the ladle fulls are being scooped out of the pot in quick succession.

Sample sentence:

  • Pierre lit très rapidement. Il a fini le roman en deux coups de cuillère à pot. Pierre reads very fast. He finished the book in no time.

Synonymous expressions to say “in no time”:

  • en un rien de temps – Lit: in a nothing of time
  • en moins de temps qu’il ne faut pour le dire – Lit: in less time that’s necessary to say it
  • en moins de deux – Lit: in less than two
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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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