avoir une tête et des jambes
French
editEtymology
editLiterally, “to have a head and some legs”.
Pronunciation
editVerb
edit- (idiomatic) to have a combination of intelligence and athleticism
Usage notes
editThis expression may be used in the negative in either of two ways:
- avoir une tête mais pas de jambes
- Literally, to have a head but no legs; colloquially, to be intelligent, but unathletic.
- ne pas avoir de tête mais avoir des jambes, or
- avoir des jambes mais pas de tête
- Literally, to have legs but no head; colloquially, to be athletic but unintelligent