French Expression 19 " filer à l'anglaise " - to take French leave

French Expression 19 " Filer à l'anglaise "

To take French leave

The above phrases in French and English are the best examples which reveal the antipathy between the people of these two countries which are so close to each other. What is the meaning of these phrases ? In the contexte of this expression " filer " means " to disappear or go away ". " à l'anglaise " means " in the manner of English people " . The real meaning of the French expression is " to take leave without permission ". It is interesting to note that the English use a similar expression , " to take French leave " to mean the same.

Go through the following examples.

Elle s'habitue à filer à l'anglaise .

She is used to taking French leave.

Ce proviseur est stricte. Il n'hésite pas à renvoyer les élèves qui filent à l'anglaise .

This principal is strict. He does not hesitate to expel the students who take French leave.

Je déteste son habitude de filer à l'anglaise pendant les réunions importantes.

I hate his habit of taking French leave during important meetings .

C'est tout pour aujourd'hui !

À bientôt !

T. K. Jayaraman
7/08/2015
Bangalore .