mettre les petits plats dans les grands

French

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Etymology

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Literally, to put the little dishes in the big ones. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /mɛ.tʁə le p(ə).ti pla dɑ̃ le ɡʁɑ̃/ ~ /me.tʁə le p(ə).ti pla dɑ̃ le ɡʁɑ̃/
  • Audio (Lyon):(file)

Verb

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mettre les petits plats dans les grands

  1. (figuratively) to put on the ritz, put on the dog, put on a great spread, lay out a real spread, pull out all the stops, to get the good/best china out

See also

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