français term
Australie
Qualified Translator & Published Writer
Native in: français (Variant: Standard-France)
Works in: anglais vers français, français vers anglais, français
Péter plus haut que son cul
It means that you believe that you are better than you actually are but is there an English expression which conveys the same idea?
Thank you for your help!
Estelle
Oct 27, 2013 13:08: writeaway changed "Field" from "Art / Littérature" to "Autre" , "Field (specific)" from "Poésie et littérature" to "Argot"
Oct 27, 2013 13:09: writeaway changed "Field (write-in)" from "Proverb/Idiomatic expression" to "colloquial expression/argot"
Oct 27, 2013 14:54: Emma Paulay changed "Level" from "PRO" to "Non-PRO"
Non-PRO (3): Nikki Scott-Despaigne, Tony M, Emma Paulay
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Proposed translations
To think that his/her shit doesn't stink
| agree |
Maciej W
: True, this one is not suitable for every situation, but I guess neither is the original. In actual use, though, there's usually one more offensive element: "DON'T stink" ;-)
2 heures
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| agree |
Daryo
: looks like a good equivalent!
2 heures
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| agree |
Alison Sabedoria (X)
: This comes over as a somewhat stronger, but the right sentiment.
3 heures
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| neutral |
Tony M
: I think this would work in the US, but IMHO would not be suitable for the UK
4 heures
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| neutral |
Victoria Britten
: It's great, but I agree with Tony, so depends on target readership
5 heures
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| neutral |
Nikki Scott-Despaigne
: For the UK, this would come across as stronger (smellier? (sorry!)) than the original.
7 heures
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Canada
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Native in: français 
Works in: français vers anglais, anglais vers français, français, and 1 more.
He thinks he knows it all
You can use 'he' or 'she'.
He thinks he's better than the others.
He thinks that he's better than he really is.
He's a bit of a show-off.
Be careful when using this expression in English. I wouldn't use it in formal circumstances and would only use it with friends or colleagues in a casual setting.
If you want a good translation, use sporran's suggestion.
If you want a good translation that you can use everywhere,
use my suggestion ...
Constantly improving quality of service
Native in: arabe
Works in: arabe vers anglais, anglais vers arabe, arabe vers français, and 3 more.
To be too big for one's boots
| agree |
Tony M
: I think this is the closest equivalent expression in EN.
44 minutes
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thank you Tony
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| neutral |
Victoria Britten
: The meaning is there, but it's a shame it lacks the slight derogatory vulgarity
2 heures
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| agree |
Nikki Scott-Despaigne
4 heures
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he thinks he's it / he's a cocky bugger
Note that the latter option is marked for GB.
Again, it all depends on the source text in which it is being used, as to whether the tone is exactly right or not.
| agree |
Victoria Britten
: I like "cocky bugger" - IF, as you say, target is GB. Not so hot on "thinks he's it": it's idiomatic, certainly, but to my mind doesn't convey the same idea as source.
1 heure
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Thanks, Victoria! I think it's along the lines of 'the bees knees' etc.
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| agree |
Carol Gullidge
: I like "he's a cocky bugger" (hear it all the time down here in Devon. But "he sthinks he's it" sounds a bit dated to my ears - something we (speaking for myself!) we would have said when I was growing up!)
3 heures
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Thanks, Carol! Yes, I agree, if this is for the UK, that would be my preferred solution too. I think #1 is possibly OK for the US, and might not sound so dated there?
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Suffer from delusions of grandeur
| neutral |
Tony M
: Yes, but this seems pretty unlikely to match the register of the highly colloquial source term. / No, I just mean the s/t is an informal expression, and this is quite a formal one. Nothing to do with "earthiness" or "class"...
2 heures
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Highly colloquial is like saying slightly square. But if you are referring to the ‘earthiness’ of the French expression (to English ears) then I don’t think that has any relevance in this case, as its use in France is hardly an indicator of social class
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Réunion
The Smart Solution
Native in: anglais (Variant: British)
Works in: français vers anglais, créoles & pidgins (français, autre) vers anglais, anglais
to think you're the dog's bollocks
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dog's_bollocks
| agree |
Tony M
49 minutes
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thanks Tony
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| agree |
Nikki Scott-Despaigne
: I'd forgotten this one! A minister could probably say the French in a friendly interview but perhaps not this one in English though. // @1045 : I was making reference to ministers of the political kind. 8-)))! And I was not recommending (should?).
1 heure
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thanks Nikki
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| neutral |
Jean-Claude Gouin
: @ Nikki ... I don't think that a minister/priest/rabbi could/should say the original expression in French ... It's way too vulgar.
3 heures
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Psychologist, Court-certified legal
Native in: anglais 
Works in: français vers anglais
to be full of oneself
The Larousse, nonetheless, has a wide range of expressions with "péter". Take a look. They often come in handy!
PS : It is a good idea to check dictionaries before posting ; just a reminder that it is indeed expected. ;-)
| agree |
Tony M
: Yes... so full of himself, in fact, that it keeps leaking out in the wrong place :-))
36 minutes
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| agree |
Yolanda Broad
: This one would work on both sides of the Atlantic.
1 jour 11 heures
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Thinks the sun shines out of his arse
| neutral |
Tony M
: We don't normally say "He thinks the sun shines out of his (own) arse", but rather "My Mother dotes on my boyfriend — she thinks the sun shines out of his arse." I didn't say 3rd PERSON, but 3rd PARTY ;-)
15 minutes
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Hello TM. I really don't follow. All the expression are in the 3rd person (he thinks that.....)
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Discussion
Actually, it might help if you indicated the context in which it was being used. If you are just need the expression as a one-off and with no particular context, then you probably already have what you need.