mettre du beurre dans les épinards

The French expression “mettre du beurre dans les épinards” translates literally to “to put butter in the spinach”.

English meaning:

  • to help make ends meet
  • to help get by

French meaning:

  • gagner un peu plus d’argent pour aider sa situation financière – to earn a bit more money to help your financial situation

Example sentence:

  • Nancy est prof de musique a l’école mais elle donne des cours de violin apres le travaille pour mettre du beurre dans les épinards. Nancy is the music teacher at school but she gives violin lessons at night to make ends meet.

Synonymous expression:

  • joindre les deux bouts – Literally to join both ends – to make ends meet.

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