qui fait le malin tombe dans le ravin

English translation: pride comes before a fall

11:59 May 18, 2004
French to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Folklore
French term or phrase: qui fait le malin tombe dans le ravin
this is an idiomatic expression and I am wondering whether there is a similar one in English (may not be a literal one of course)
Peggy
English translation:pride comes before a fall
Explanation:
:
Selected response from:

Laura Robertson
France
Local time: 14:26
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5pride comes before a fall
Laura Robertson
4 +3some people are far too clever for their own good
Renate FitzRoy


  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
pride comes before a fall


Explanation:
:

Laura Robertson
France
Local time: 14:26
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Vicky Papaprodromou
8 mins
  -> thanks

agree  Aoife Kennedy: Perfect
35 mins
  -> thanks

agree  Karin Dyson
38 mins
  -> thanks

neutral  Renate FitzRoy: the French does not say anything about pride
53 mins
  -> yes, but the asker is looking for an idiomatic expression

disagree  François Rossi: as Renate said, "pride" is not implied in the French text
1 hr
  -> yes, but the asker is looking for an idiomatic expression

agree  Graham macLachlan: pride's ok...faire le malin : se donner des airs supérieurs, plastronner
1 hr
  -> thanks

agree  roneill: pride is fine
4 hrs
  -> thanks

agree  LJC (X): The meaning is the same
19 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
some people are far too clever for their own good


Explanation:
It is not quite as funny but does convey the idea

Renate FitzRoy
Local time: 13:26
Native speaker of: German

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  François Rossi
16 mins

agree  sarahl (X)
2 hrs

agree  RHELLER
5 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search