FOREIGN PHRASES in EFL

WE USE MANY FOREIGN PHRASES IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.
TRY TO LEARN THEIR MEANINGS.

FROM FRENCH

 

FAUX PAS      A social mistake

EN MASSE     In a large number

A LA MODE   Fashionable

BETE NOIRE  Pet hate

BON VOYAGE  A good journey

BON APPETIT Enjoy your meal

FAIT ACCOMPLI  An accomplished fact

PAR EXCELLENCE  Of the highest order

CARTE BLANCHE     Freedom of action

COUP D´ÉTAT  Overthrowing the government

GOURMET  One who appreciates food & drink

DEBACLE   Collapse, Downfall

TOUR DE FORCE Feat of skill

NOM DE PLUME   Pen name

LAISSEZ-FAIRE Lack of gvt interference

A LA CARTE On the menu

C´EST LA VIE That´s life

COUPÉ Cut, a two_door car with a sloping rear

CREME DE LA CREME The very best

CUL-DE-SAC  A street closed at one end

 

FROM GERMAN

ANGST   Anxiety

GESUNDHEIT Health, To your health

GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG  Twilight of the gods

KAPUT   Broken

KITSCH  Rubbish,Tastelessness in art

LEITMOTIV   Leading motif

SCHADENFREUDE Pleasure in other¨s misfortunes

WELTANSCHAUUNG  World perception

WELTSCHMERZ     World pain, Sympathy

WUNDERKIND   Child prodigy

 

FROM LATIN

 

STATUS QUO  The unchanged original position

POST MORTEM After death

NOTA BENE N.B.  Note Well

ANTE MERIDIEM A.M. Before Midday

CARPE DIEM   Seize the day

DEO VOLENTE  God Willing

HABEAS CORPUS Have the body( a prisoner at court)

HONORIS CAUSA For the sake of honour

IN VITRO   In a test tube

MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO A sound mind in a sound body 

 

FROM GREEK

 

HOI POLLOI  The majority of people, the masses

HUBRIS    Extreme pride

KUDOS Acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement

ALPHA & OMEGA The beginning and the end

EUREKA  To celebrate a discovery

SIRTAKI  A popular Greek dance

ETHOS     Mindset

PLETHORA An excess

PHOBIA    Irrational fear

THALATTA, THALATTA  The sea , the sea