Bedeutung
To reveal a secret or confidential information, often unintentionally.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In France, discretion is a highly valued social trait. 'Vendre la mèche' is often discussed in the context of 'la vie privée' (private life). In Quebec, the phrase is also common, but you might also hear 'vendre le punch' (selling the punchline) specifically for spoilers. Belgian French uses 'vendre la mèche' identically to France, often in political contexts regarding government leaks. Swiss French speakers use it frequently in the banking and watchmaking industries to describe industrial espionage.
Use it for spoilers
If a friend is about to tell you the ending of a book, shout 'Ne vends pas la mèche !'
Gender matters
Always use 'la' mèche. 'Le mèche' doesn't exist and will sound very wrong.
Bedeutung
To reveal a secret or confidential information, often unintentionally.
Use it for spoilers
If a friend is about to tell you the ending of a book, shout 'Ne vends pas la mèche !'
Gender matters
Always use 'la' mèche. 'Le mèche' doesn't exist and will sound very wrong.
The 'Mèche' Pun
French people love to joke about hair when using this phrase. If someone has a prominent lock of hair, they might say 'J'ai vendu ma mèche chez le coiffeur'.
Teste dich selbst
Complétez la phrase avec l'expression correcte au passé composé.
Oh non ! Tu as ________ la mèche ! Maintenant, elle connaît la surprise.
In the passé composé with 'avoir', the past participle 'vendu' does not agree with the subject.
Quelle est la signification de 'vendre la mèche' ?
Si je vends la mèche, qu'est-ce que je fais ?
The idiom refers to revealing secrets, not selling items or cutting hair.
Choisissez la meilleure réponse pour terminer le dialogue.
A: 'Est-ce que Paul sait pour sa promotion ?' B: 'Oui, sa collègue a ________.'
'Vendre la mèche' is the standard idiom for this situation.
Associez la situation à l'expression.
Un espion donne des informations à l'ennemi.
Betraying information to an enemy is the historical origin of 'vendre la mèche'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenOh non ! Tu as ________ la mèche ! Maintenant, elle connaît la surprise.
In the passé composé with 'avoir', the past participle 'vendu' does not agree with the subject.
Si je vends la mèche, qu'est-ce que je fais ?
The idiom refers to revealing secrets, not selling items or cutting hair.
A: 'Est-ce que Paul sait pour sa promotion ?' B: 'Oui, sa collègue a ________.'
'Vendre la mèche' is the standard idiom for this situation.
Un espion donne des informations à l'ennemi.
Betraying information to an enemy is the historical origin of 'vendre la mèche'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenNot necessarily. It describes the act of revealing a secret. It can be used to accuse someone of betrayal, but it's often used jokingly among friends.
It's better to use 'divulguer' or 'révéler' in formal emails. Use 'vendre la mèche' in Slack or casual conversations.
It means a wick (for a candle) or a fuse (for a bomb). It also means a lock of hair.
Yes, 'la mèche a été vendue', but it's much more common to say 'quelqu'un a vendu la mèche'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Lâcher le morceau
synonymTo confess or give in.
Déballer son sac
similarTo tell everything on one's mind.
Tenir sa langue
contrastTo keep a secret.
C'est un secret de Polichinelle
builds onA secret that everyone actually knows.
