Why do I need to know promettre monts et merveilles?
This classic French expression is used whenever someone makes grand promises that seem too good to be true.
What does it mean?
The French expression promettre monts et merveilles, roughly pronounced proh-metr mon ay mair-vay (listen here), literally translates to "promise mountains and marvels". It means "to make extravagant promises". It is used when someone makes grand, ambitious or unrealistic promises, often without any certainty that they can deliver.
The expression doesn't necessarily mean the person is lying, but it does imply that their promises are probably exaggerated or overly optimistic.
The expression dates back to the 16th century, although its roots go back even further. By the late 13th century, monts (mountains) had become a symbol of great abundance or immense wealth. Then, in the 15th century, the phrase conter monts et merveilles (to tell mountains and wonders) was used to describe telling fabulous or extraordinary stories.
During the 16th century, the expression evolved into promettre monts et merveilles. Rather than simply telling incredible tales, it came to mean promising great riches, remarkable benefits or extraordinary rewards.
An English equivalent would be "promising the world", or "promising the moon", for example.
When talking about mountains in general you would usually use les montagnes, while mont is these days generally used like a title for a single mountain eg Mont Blanc.
Use it like this
En campagne, les candidats promettent souvent monts et merveilles. - During election campaigns, candidates often promise the earth.
Le vendeur nous a promis monts et merveilles. - The salesman promised us the moon.
Ne lui fais pas confiance. Il promet toujours monts et merveilles. - Don't trust him. He's always making extravagant promises.
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