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rester le bec dans l’eau

The French expression “rester le bec dans l’eau” translates literally to “to stay with the mouth in the water”.

English meanings:

  • to be left high and dry
  • to be left in the lurch

French meanings:

  • déçu après avoir espéré quelque chosedisappointed after having had hoped for something
  • qui n’a plus rien not having anything anymore

Example sentence:

Au dernier moment. l’hôtel a annuel ma réservation et je me suis trouvé le bec dans l’eau. The hotel cancelled my reservation at the last minute and I was left high and dry.

Synonyms:

  • être en planto be left high and dry
  • planter quelqu’unto leave somebody high and dry
  • laisser quelqu’un se débrouiller tout seul – to leave somebody in the lurch

David Issokson

David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

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