k&k learn french 124 - se plier en quatre (pour quelqu'un)
"Se plier en quatre (pour quelqu'un)" (to bend over backwards) is a great expression full of (highly flexible) physical imagery. Hear all about it in show 124.
Listen to our explanation of the phrase :
Literal translation
To fold oneself in four (for someone)
English equivalents
To bend over backwards (for someone/to help someone)
To go to no end of trouble (for someone)
To go out of one's way (for someone)
To go through fire and water (for someone)
To do one's damnedest (for someone)
To do one's utmost (for someone)
To go to great lengths (for someone)
To go above and beyond (for someone)
To jump through hoops (for someone)
To put/stick your neck out (for someone)
To devote oneself entirely/utterly to someone
French equivalents
Se mettre en quatre (pour quelqu'un)
Se donner du mal (pour quelqu'un)
Faire tout son possible (pour quelqu'un)
Faire tout ce qui est possible (pour quelqu'un)
S'évertuer à faire quelque chose (pour quelqu'un)
Se saigner en quatre veines (financially)
Remuer ciel et terre (searching for something)
Note : don't get confused with "être plier en deux" = "to laugh hard" or "to be in pain"
Frog's phrase
Jean-Pierre se pliait en quatre pour assouvir tout les désirs de Pamela. Et pourtant, elle est partie avec le beau plombier sénégalais. Et le lecteur dvd.
Translation
Jean-Pierre bent over backwards to satisfy all of Pamela's desires. Nonetheless, she left with the handsome Senegalese plumber. And the dvd player.
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