perdre le nord
French
editEtymology
editCompare Spanish perder el norte.
Pronunciation
editVerb
edit- (informal, figuratively) to lose one's bearings, to be all at sea
- Synonym: perdre la boussole
Usage notes
editChiefly used in negative sentences: ne pas perdre le nord (“not to lose sight of one's goals, not to miss an occasion to progress towards one's goals”). Especially said of people who don't lose sight of their interests in financial matters, and are attentive with money.