In 15 Sekunden
- Means doing something in massive, excessive quantities.
- Used mostly for eating, drinking, or talking.
- Adds a colorful, slightly old-fashioned flair to speech.
Bedeutung
This phrase describes doing something in huge, excessive, or never-ending quantities. Think of it as 'galore' or 'by the bucketload' when talking about food, drinks, or even gossip.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6At a wedding buffet
On a mangé des petits fours à tire-larigot !
We ate appetizers by the bucketload!
Complaining about a chatty neighbor
Elle raconte des potins à tire-larigot.
She tells gossip non-stop.
Describing a successful sale
Les clients achètent nos produits à tire-larigot.
Customers are buying our products left and right.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is deeply linked to the 'bon vivant' lifestyle. It's often used during the 'Fête de la Musique' or Christmas markets to describe the flow of wine and food. While understood, Quebecers might more frequently use 'en masse' or 'en s'il vous plaît' to express the same idea of abundance. In Belgium, especially during carnivals like Binche, you'll hear this phrase to describe the distribution of oranges or the flow of beer. In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, French idioms often mix with local metaphors. 'À tire-larigot' is used in newspapers to describe political scandals or 'promises galore'.
The 'Silent T' Rule
Always remember the 't' in larigot is silent. Pronouncing it is a dead giveaway that you're a beginner!
Not for Sadness
Don't use it for negative emotions like 'crying' or 'suffering'. It sounds too lighthearted and can come across as sarcastic.
In 15 Sekunden
- Means doing something in massive, excessive quantities.
- Used mostly for eating, drinking, or talking.
- Adds a colorful, slightly old-fashioned flair to speech.
What It Means
Imagine a fountain that never stops flowing. That is the essence of à tire-larigot. It describes an action done with extreme abundance. If you are eating, drinking, or spending money excessively, this is your phrase. It implies a sense of 'too much' or 'without counting.' It is vibrant, slightly old-fashioned, and very expressive.
How To Use It
You place this phrase directly after a verb. It functions like an adverb. For example, you can say boire à tire-larigot or manger à tire-larigot. It does not change based on gender or number. It is a fixed block of words. Just drop it at the end of your sentence to add flavor.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to emphasize the scale of something. It is perfect for describing a wild party. Use it when talking about a buffet with endless food. It works well when complaining about someone who talks too much. It is great for storytelling with friends. It adds a touch of humor to otherwise boring descriptions.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very formal business reports. It is a bit too colorful for a legal contract. Do not use it for sad or tragic abundance. For example, you would not use it for 'tears' or 'problems.' It usually carries a festive or slightly mocking tone. If the situation is serious, stick to en abondance instead.
Cultural Background
This phrase dates back to the 13th century. It likely refers to 'La Rigaud,' a famous giant bell in Rouen. Pulling the rope to ring it was exhausting work. Bell ringers were often rewarded with plenty of wine. They would 'pull' the wine like they pulled the rope. Another theory links it to a 'larigot,' which was a small flute. Either way, it is deeply rooted in French history and tavern culture.
Common Variations
You might hear people use à gogo for a more modern feel. Some might say à foison for a more poetic touch. However, à tire-larigot remains a classic favorite for its unique sound. It sounds a bit like a tongue twister, which makes it fun to say. It is the kind of phrase that makes you sound like a local.
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is fixed and does not change. It is primarily used in spoken French or informal writing. It adds a playful, slightly literary tone to a conversation.
The 'Silent T' Rule
Always remember the 't' in larigot is silent. Pronouncing it is a dead giveaway that you're a beginner!
Not for Sadness
Don't use it for negative emotions like 'crying' or 'suffering'. It sounds too lighthearted and can come across as sarcastic.
The Rabelais Connection
Mentioning that Rabelais used this phrase will make you sound incredibly cultured to French native speakers.
Beispiele
6On a mangé des petits fours à tire-larigot !
We ate appetizers by the bucketload!
Highlights the abundance of food in a festive setting.
Elle raconte des potins à tire-larigot.
She tells gossip non-stop.
Used here to show that the talking is excessive and annoying.
Les clients achètent nos produits à tire-larigot.
Customers are buying our products left and right.
Shows high volume in a commercial context.
On a bu du champagne à tire-larigot hier soir !
We drank champagne galore last night!
Perfect for informal storytelling about a party.
Cette année, mon jardin donne des tomates à tire-larigot.
This year, my garden is producing tomatoes like crazy.
Shows natural abundance in a warm, domestic setting.
Le public a ri à tire-larigot pendant tout le spectacle.
The audience laughed non-stop during the whole show.
Describes a continuous and intense collective action.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.
À la fête foraine, les enfants mangent de la barbe à papa ______.
We are describing eating in large quantities. 'À tire-d'aile' is for birds flying fast, and 'à tire-bouchon' is a corkscrew.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Select the natural-sounding sentence:
The phrase must follow the verb 'boit' to describe the action.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Tu as vu tous ces nouveaux magasins ? B: Oui, ils en ouvrent ______ en ce moment !
The context implies a surprising or excessive number of new stores.
Match the situation to the use of 'à tire-larigot'.
Which situation best fits the phrase?
The phrase fits the chaotic, high-volume action of shouting orders.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Common Verbs with 'à tire-larigot'
Consumption
- • Boire
- • Manger
- • Servir
Commerce
- • Acheter
- • Vendre
- • Dépenser
Communication
- • Dire
- • Raconter
- • Promettre
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenÀ la fête foraine, les enfants mangent de la barbe à papa ______.
We are describing eating in large quantities. 'À tire-d'aile' is for birds flying fast, and 'à tire-bouchon' is a corkscrew.
Select the natural-sounding sentence:
The phrase must follow the verb 'boit' to describe the action.
A: Tu as vu tous ces nouveaux magasins ? B: Oui, ils en ouvrent ______ en ce moment !
The context implies a surprising or excessive number of new stores.
Which situation best fits the phrase?
The phrase fits the chaotic, high-volume action of shouting orders.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's a bit classic, but definitely not 'dead'. It's like saying 'galore' in English—everyone knows it, and it's used frequently in journalism and casual conversation.
No, you can't say 'Il y a des gens à tire-larigot' to mean 'There are many people'. It's better to use it for the *action* of people coming or going.
It was a small flute. The name comes from 'l'arigot', but over time the 'l' became part of the word itself.
Not at all! It's just informal. It's safe to use with friends, colleagues, and in most social settings.
Probably not. It's a bit too colorful. Stick to 'en grande quantité' or 'fréquemment'.
No, it is an invariable adverbial phrase. It never changes.
Yes, many French singers like Georges Brassens or modern rappers use it to create a rhythmic, rhyming effect.
No, that is a spelling error. It is always singular.
It's very common in both, but you'll see it a lot in 'lifestyle' journalism (food, fashion, travel).
'By the bucketload' or 'left and right' usually capture the energy best.
Verwandte Redewendungen
à gogo
synonymIn abundance, as much as you want.
à foison
synonymIn great plenty.
en veux-tu en voilà
similarHere is plenty of it.
à la pelle
synonymBy the shovelful.
à vau-l'eau
contrastTo go down the drain / to fail.
