French Expression of the Day: Tendre les bras
This phrase not only captures the spirit of Christmas but also describes a particularly useful gesture when it comes to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Why do I need to know tendre les bras?
Because it's nice to be helpful.
What does it mean?
Tendre les bras, pronounced "ton-druh ley brah", means to help someone, to welcome someone or to reach out to someone.
The literal meaning of this expression is to "extend the arms" - it is analogous to "lending a hand".
A bras tendu is an outstretched arm - a term often used in a medical context and a pre-requisite for many injections.
The phrase is thought to have biblical origins.
Use it like this
Je me mis à tendre les bras à d'autres personnes - I am beginning to help other people
Je lui a tendu les bras - I helped him
Pour inciter les quelque 5 millions de non-vaccinés à tendre le bras, le gouvernement envisage de créer un pass vaccinal - To incite the 5 million unvaccinated people to offer their arms [for injections], the government envisages creating a vaccine pass
Tendre les bras signifie épouser les enseignements de Dieu, en venant en aide à son prochain - To help others is to follow the teachings of god by coming to the aid of others
Synonyms
Tendre la perche
Donner un coup de main
Aider quelqu'un
Comments
See Also
Why do I need to know tendre les bras?
Because it's nice to be helpful.
What does it mean?
Tendre les bras, pronounced "ton-druh ley brah", means to help someone, to welcome someone or to reach out to someone.
The literal meaning of this expression is to "extend the arms" - it is analogous to "lending a hand".
A bras tendu is an outstretched arm - a term often used in a medical context and a pre-requisite for many injections.
The phrase is thought to have biblical origins.
Use it like this
Je me mis à tendre les bras à d'autres personnes - I am beginning to help other people
Je lui a tendu les bras - I helped him
Pour inciter les quelque 5 millions de non-vaccinés à tendre le bras, le gouvernement envisage de créer un pass vaccinal - To incite the 5 million unvaccinated people to offer their arms [for injections], the government envisages creating a vaccine pass
Tendre les bras signifie épouser les enseignements de Dieu, en venant en aide à son prochain - To help others is to follow the teachings of god by coming to the aid of others
Synonyms
Tendre la perche
Donner un coup de main
Aider quelqu'un
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.