Revenons à nos moutons is a French idiom that translates literally to “let’s get back to our sheep” and means “Let’s get back to the subject” or “Let’s get back to the topic at hand”.
Example sentences
Le but de cette réunion est de parler de l’avenir de cette ville. Revenons à nos moutons.
The objective of this meeting is to talk about the future of this city. Let’s get back to the subject.
On n’arrête pas de changer de sujet. Revenons à nos moutons.
We don’t stop changing the subject. Let’s get back to the topic in hand!
Expression origin
This expression comes from the 15th century comedy La Farce du Maître Pathelin where a merchant gets deceived in the selling of both a sheet and sheep. When brought to trial, the judge exclaims, “let’s get back to his sheep”.
Expressions with animals
- Parler français comme une vache espagnole (to speak poorly)
- Temps de chien – awful weather
- Avoir un chat dans la gorge – To be hoarse
- Avoir le cafard – to be down in the dumps
References
French expressions | Lessons by David Issokson
