The most popular idioms or proverbs

[RonBee]

"I'll do that when pigs fly" (or some variation of that) means that the speaker believes that it (whatever "it" is) will never happen.

:)

[Beeuurkes]

Than, you tends to use that idiom, don't you ?

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by Beeuurkes

Than, you tends to use that idiom, don't you ?

• Then you tend to use that idiom, don't you?

I don't remember ever using it, but I might have. I'm sure I have heard it.

:)

[Beeuurkes]

Originally Posted by RonBee

I'm sure I have heard it.

Thank you RonBee, that's all I wanted to know. :wink:
It's one of my favourite. I use it quite often in French.

[RonBee]

You're quite welcome.

:D

Originally Posted by Beeuurkes

Thank you RonBee, that's all I wanted to know. :wink:
It's one of my favourite. I use it quite often in French.

Brazilians use an identical expression: "quando as galinhas criarem/tiverem dentes" (when the hens grow/have teeth)

There's another Brazilian one with a similar meaning - "no dia de São Nunca" (on St. Never's Day) Do you have that one in French too?

In English, when we think something will never happen, a common response might be "That'll be the day!". There's a better one on the tip of my tongue. I know it's there - I can feel it there - but I just can't remember it. Help, please"

[Beeuurkes]

Originally Posted by Susie Smith

There's another Brazilian one with a similar meaning - "no dia de São Nunca" (on St. Never's Day) Do you have that one in French too?

Yes, we have that one : "la semaine des quatre jeudi" or "The 4 Thursday week" or something like that.

[Firelord]

Originally Posted by bmo

What would you say are the five most popular idioms or proverbs in use today? Would "Raining cats and dogs " be one of them?

Thanks.

BMO

raining cats and dogs?!
i don't know this idiom!
what's it talks about?

[Tdol]

It means 'raining heavily'.

To rain cats and dogs (c.1652) is probably an extension of cats and dogs as proverbial for "strife, enmity" (1579)
http://www.etymonline.com/c2etym.htm

I have also heard that it refers to winds, but cannot find my source at the moment- I have to search my house.

[RonBee]

Never has it rained cats and dogs,
But sometimes it rains frogs.

:wink: