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 chose – to be sure of something
- en jurer – to 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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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.
