This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. French to English
  3. Journalism

"et de n'avoir pour tout bénéfice que des miettes"

English translation: and being left with nothing but crumbs for profit

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:"et de n'avoir pour tout bénéfice que des miettes"
English translation:and being left with nothing but crumbs for profit
Entered by: Michele Fauble

13:41 Oct 16, 2014
French to English translations [Non-PRO]
Journalism / Article about bakeries
French term or phrase: "et de n'avoir pour tout bénéfice que des miettes"
This phrase appeared in a Le Monde article about the price of baguettes. The article was packed with idioms. Here is the troublesome phrase in context:

"... mais à force de proposer leur baguette pour une bouchée de pain et de n'avoir pour tout bénéfice que des miettes, ils risquent fort de se retrouver bientot au pain sec."

I have managed the first third and last third of the phrase (complete with English puns!) but the middle section is just proving impossible to translate! Any help would be very gratefully received.

Thank you
Glottyb
and being left with nothing but crumbs for profit
Explanation:
A suggestion
Selected response from:

Michele Fauble
United States
Local time: 17:02
Grading comment
Thanks a lot!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2and being left with nothing but crumbs for profit
Michele Fauble
3 +1... and the only benefits were crumbs ...
Jean-Claude Gouin


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
... and the only benefits were crumbs ...


Explanation:
une suggestion ...

Jean-Claude Gouin
Canada
Local time: 20:02
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: Right idea, but perhaps not 'benefits', but more literally 'profit'?
1 hr
  -> Hi Tony ... 'Profits' are a sub-set of 'benefits' ... but there are many more benefits ... Thank you for taking the time to add your comment ...
agree  glottyb (X): Thank you to both of you!
5 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

17 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
and being left with nothing but crumbs for profit


Explanation:
A suggestion

Michele Fauble
United States
Local time: 17:02
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks a lot!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M
4 mins
  -> thanks
agree  Duncan Moncrieff: sounds good
3 hrs
  -> thanks
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.

Return to KudoZ list

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:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search