tambour battant
French
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editLiterally, “beating [the] drum”, with the positioning of the present participle after its complement which was frequent in Old French[1] (the modern French equivalent would be battant tambour). Compare chemin faisant, Belle au bois dormant.
Pronunciation
editAdverb
edit- (figuratively) eagerly
- (figuratively) promptly, briskly, energetically
- Synonym: rondement
- mener une affaire tambour battant, mener une affaire rondement ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)
Usage notes
edit- Chiefly used with the verb mener.