Skip to Content

faire long feu

The French expression “faire long feu” translates literally to “to make a long fire”.

English meaning:

  • to fizzle out

French meaning:

  • échouer to fail
  • ne pas produire l’effet attendu to not produce the expected effect

Example sentence:

  • Après trois ans de négociations entre la direction et le syndicat, tous les efforts on fait feu. After three years of negociations between the management and the union, all efforts fizzled.

Synonymous expression:

  • tomber à l’eau – Literally: to fall in to the water; to fizzle out
  • s’éteindre en crépitant – Literally: to extinguish sputtering ; to fizzle out

more expressions

Sharing is caring!

David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven 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 lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

See all posts by