Skip to Content

ne pas y aller avec le dos de la cuillère

The French expression “ne pas y aller avec le dos de la cuillère” translates literally to “to not go there with the back of the spoon.

English meaning:

  • to not believe in half measures
  • to not mess about

French meaning:

  • faire les choses solidement to do things in a complete way

Sample sentence:

  • Pour retrouver la forme je n’y vais pas avec le dos de la cuillère. Je mange bien, cours et fais de la musculation tous les jours. In order to get in shape, I don’t believe in half measures. I eat well, run and lift weights every day.

Related sample sentence:

  • Les demi-mesures ne nous ont rien donné. Half measures availed us nothing.

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