en mettre sa main au feu

The French expression “en mettre sa main au feu” translates literally to “to put one’s hand over the fire”.

English meanings:

  • bet your life on it
  • bet your bottom dollar on it
  • to put money on it

French meaning:

  • être sur de quelque choseto be sure of something
  • en jurerto swear (to be true)

Example sentence:

  • Martin et Sylvie ne vont jamais rester ensemble. J’en mettrais ma main au feu! Martin and Sylvie will never stay together. I’d be my life on it!

Synonym expression:

  • mettre sa main à couper to put one’s hand (out) to be cut (to bet your bottom dollar)

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