manger les pissenlits par la racine
To take responsibility
शाब्दिक अर्थ: To eat the dandelions by the root
Use this phrase to say someone is dead in a casual, slightly dark, or humorous way.
15 सेकंड में
- A dark humor way to say someone is dead and buried.
- Literally means eating dandelion roots from under the ground.
- Use it for historical figures or in casual, gritty contexts.
मतलब
This is a dark but funny way to say someone is dead and buried. It implies they are deep underground, right where the flowers start.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6Discussing a historical figure
Napoléon mange les pissenlits par la racine depuis longtemps.
Napoleon has been pushing up daisies for a long time.
In a crime novel or movie
Si tu parles à la police, tu mangeras les pissenlits par la racine.
If you talk to the police, you'll be six feet under.
Talking about an old family feud
L'oncle Henri ? Il mange les pissenlits par la racine depuis dix ans.
Uncle Henri? He's been dead and buried for ten years.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
Dandelions (pissenlits) are symbolic in French folklore for their persistence and presence in wild fields. The phrase became popular in the 19th century as a 'gallows humor' way to describe the cycle of life. It reflects a certain French pragmatism and wit regarding mortality.
The 'Piss' in Pissenlit
The word `pissenlit` literally means 'piss in bed' because the plant has diuretic properties. It adds to the unrefined, earthy nature of the idiom!
Read the Room
Never use this around someone who is actually mourning. It translates to 'pushing up daisies' and can feel very disrespectful if the death is recent.
15 सेकंड में
- A dark humor way to say someone is dead and buried.
- Literally means eating dandelion roots from under the ground.
- Use it for historical figures or in casual, gritty contexts.
What It Means
This phrase is a colorful way to say someone has passed away. It is not about taking responsibility. It describes someone lying six feet under. Think about a field of yellow dandelions. If you are under the soil, you are facing the roots. You are literally 'eating' them from below. It is a classic French euphemism for death.
How To Use It
You use it like a regular verb. You can say someone mange les pissenlits. Use it when talking about people who died long ago. It sounds a bit cheeky or dark. It is not meant to be cruel. It just adds a bit of grit to the conversation.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing history or old family stories. It works well in movies or books too. If you are visiting an old cemetery, it fits perfectly. It is great for dark humor among close friends. You might use it to talk about a villain in a story. It makes the fact of death feel more grounded and earthy.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this at a recent funeral. Do not say it to someone who is grieving. It is way too blunt for a sympathy card. Avoid it in professional medical settings or hospitals. It is not a formal or respectful way to mourn. If you want to be polite, use décéder or nous a quittés instead.
Cultural Background
This expression appeared around the mid-19th century. Dandelions are common weeds that grow everywhere, even in graveyards. Their roots go deep into the earth. The image is very visual and a bit 'Gothic.' It reflects the French habit of using food metaphors for everything. Even in death, the French are thinking about what's on the menu!
Common Variations
You might hear manger les salades par la racine. This is much less common though. Usually, people stick to the dandelions. Sometimes people just say il est sous les pissenlits. This means 'he is under the dandelions.' Both versions carry that same dark, rustic humor.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
This is an informal idiom with a touch of dark humor. It belongs in the 'argot' (slang) or familiar register and should be avoided in any context requiring empathy or decorum.
The 'Piss' in Pissenlit
The word `pissenlit` literally means 'piss in bed' because the plant has diuretic properties. It adds to the unrefined, earthy nature of the idiom!
Read the Room
Never use this around someone who is actually mourning. It translates to 'pushing up daisies' and can feel very disrespectful if the death is recent.
Verb Choice
You can replace `manger` with `bouffer` (to scarf down) to make it even more slangy and aggressive.
उदाहरण
6Napoléon mange les pissenlits par la racine depuis longtemps.
Napoleon has been pushing up daisies for a long time.
Perfect for talking about someone who died centuries ago.
Si tu parles à la police, tu mangeras les pissenlits par la racine.
If you talk to the police, you'll be six feet under.
Used as a threat in a gritty, cinematic way.
L'oncle Henri ? Il mange les pissenlits par la racine depuis dix ans.
Uncle Henri? He's been dead and buried for ten years.
Informal family talk about someone long gone.
Oh non ! Le héros mange déjà les pissenlits par la racine ?
Oh no! Is the hero already dead and buried?
Expressing shock about a fictional death.
À ce rythme-là, on mangera tous les pissenlits par la racine avant la fin du mois !
At this rate, we'll all be pushing up daisies before the month ends!
Exaggerated dark humor regarding a difficult situation.
Il craignait de finir par manger les pissenlits par la racine sans avoir voyagé.
He feared ending up dead and buried without having traveled.
Used to describe a character's internal fear.
खुद को परखो
Complete the phrase to say the person is dead.
Le pauvre vieux Jean mange les ___ par la racine.
The idiom specifically uses 'pissenlits' (dandelions) because they are common weeds in fields and cemeteries.
Choose the correct preposition.
Il mange les pissenlits ___ la racine.
The phrase uses 'par la racine' to indicate the direction from which the roots are being 'eaten' (from below).
🎉 स्कोर: /2
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Formality of 'Manger les pissenlits par la racine'
Used in slang or very dark humor.
Il bouffe les pissenlits.
The standard usage for this idiom.
Il mange les pissenlits par la racine.
Too blunt for neutral settings.
N/A
Never use this in formal settings.
N/A
When to use the Dandelion Phrase
History Class
Talking about kings.
Dark Comedy
Joking with friends.
Crime Fiction
A gangster's threat.
Old Stories
Talking about ancestors.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालNo, that is a common mistake in some older translation databases. It strictly means to be dead and buried.
It can be. It is irreverent and blunt. Use it for people who have been dead a long time or in fictional contexts.
The closest English idiom is 'to be pushing up daisies' or 'to be six feet under.'
Yes, you could use it for a pet that passed away long ago in a casual conversation, like Mon vieux chien mange les pissenlits.
Yes, it is a very well-known idiom in France, though it feels a bit 'old school' and colorful.
Absolutely not. It is too informal and involves a sensitive subject (death).
Because they are common weeds that grow in untended ground, like old graveyards, and have very long roots.
Yes, people often just say être sous les pissenlits (to be under the dandelions).
Yes, you always eat the pissenlits (plural) in this expression.
You can use it as a joke about your own future, like Quand je mangerai les pissenlits par la racine... (When I'm dead and gone...).
संबंधित मुहावरे
Passer l'arme à gauche (To kick the bucket)
Casser sa pipe (To die - very informal)
Être entre quatre planches (To be in a coffin)
Six pieds sous terre (Six feet under)
टिप्पणियाँ (0)
टिप्पणी के लिए लॉगिन करेंमुफ्त में भाषाएं सीखना शुरू करें
मुफ़्त में सीखना शुरू करो