passer un savon

French

Etymology

Literally, “to pass a soap”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pa.se œ̃ sa.vɔ̃/ ~ /pɑ.se œ̃ sa.vɔ̃/, (more formal) /pa.se.ʁ‿œ̃ sa.vɔ̃/ ~ /pɑ.se.ʁ‿œ̃ sa.vɔ̃/

• Audio:

  (file)

Verb

passer un savon

1. (informal) to tell off, to haul over the coals [with à ‘someone’]

   Maman m’a passé un de ces savons quand elle a découvert que j’avais cassé son vase, je te dis pas !

   Mum gave me an earful when she found out I'd broken her vase, let me tell you!

Conjugation

• see passer

See also

• remonter les bretelles
• tirer les oreilles