prendre des vessies pour des lanternes
To be in a difficult situation
Literally: to take bladders for lanterns
In 15 Seconds
- Mistaking something worthless for something valuable.
- Being gullible or easily deceived by appearances.
- Calling out someone's attempt to trick or lie to you.
Meaning
This phrase describes someone who is incredibly naive or easily fooled. It is used when someone mistakes something worthless or poor quality for something valuable or brilliant.
Key Examples
3 of 6Reacting to a dishonest advertisement
Ce vendeur essaie de nous faire prendre des vessies pour des lanternes avec ses promos.
This salesman is trying to make us believe his 'deals' are better than they are.
Discussing politics with a friend
Les politiciens nous prennent souvent pour des vessies pour des lanternes.
Politicians often try to pull the wool over our eyes.
A professional meeting about a failing project
Ne prenons pas des vessies pour des lanternes, les chiffres sont mauvais.
Let's not kid ourselves, the numbers are bad.
Cultural Background
En France, cette expression est souvent utilisée par les journalistes politiques pour critiquer les promesses électorales jugées irréalistes. Au Québec, bien que l'expression soit comprise, on utilisera plus souvent 'se faire passer un sapin' pour exprimer l'idée d'être trompé. Le célèbre chanteur belge Jacques Brel utilise cette image dans sa chanson 'Les Bourgeois' pour se moquer de la bêtise humaine. Dans certains pays d'Afrique francophone, l'expression est utilisée pour dénoncer la corruption ou les faux semblants dans les affaires.
Use it with 'faire'
To sound very natural, use 'On nous fait prendre des vessies pour des lanternes' when talking about being tricked by a group or company.
Don't reverse it
Never say 'prendre des lanternes pour des vessies'. It would mean mistaking something valuable for trash, which is not the idiom.
In 15 Seconds
- Mistaking something worthless for something valuable.
- Being gullible or easily deceived by appearances.
- Calling out someone's attempt to trick or lie to you.
What It Means
Imagine someone trying to sell you a cheap plastic bag as a designer handbag. If you believe them, you are taking des vessies pour des lanternes. It means being completely deluded. You are mistaking a common, ugly object (a bladder) for a source of light (a lantern). It is about a lack of judgment. It is about being gullible.
How To Use It
You use this phrase to call out a lie. You can use it when someone tries to trick you. It usually follows the verb prendre. For example: Il me prend pour une imbécile. Or more specifically: Il essaie de me faire prendre des vessies pour des lanternes. It functions as a colorful way to say 'You can't fool me.'
When To Use It
Use it when a politician makes a promise that sounds too good. Use it when a salesperson exaggerates a product's benefits. It is perfect for debates or heated discussions. You might use it while watching a movie with a plot hole. It works well when gossiping about a friend's questionable new crush. It adds a bit of bite to your criticism.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a very formal legal document. It is a bit too colorful for a funeral or a somber event. Avoid using it if you want to be extremely polite. It implies the other person is either a liar or a fool. Use it carefully with your boss. You do not want to suggest they are delusional! Unless, of course, they are.
Cultural Background
This expression dates back to the 13th century. Back then, dried bladders were actually used as makeshift lanterns. They were translucent and could hold a candle. However, they were cheap and smelled bad. Real lanterns were made of glass or parchment. Mistaking one for the other was a sign of being easily tricked. It has survived centuries because the imagery is so vivid.
Common Variations
You will mostly hear the standard version. Sometimes people just say Il essaie de nous vendre des vessies. This implies the 'lantern' part without saying it. In modern slang, you might hear Il nous mène en bateau. But vessies remains the classic, more sophisticated way to describe a scam. It sounds a bit old-fashioned, which gives it more charm.
Usage Notes
This phrase sits in the 'neutral' to 'informal' register. It is expressive but not vulgar. It is often used in the negative to show you are sharp: `On ne me fait pas prendre des vessies pour des lanternes !`
Use it with 'faire'
To sound very natural, use 'On nous fait prendre des vessies pour des lanternes' when talking about being tricked by a group or company.
Don't reverse it
Never say 'prendre des lanternes pour des vessies'. It would mean mistaking something valuable for trash, which is not the idiom.
Examples
6Ce vendeur essaie de nous faire prendre des vessies pour des lanternes avec ses promos.
This salesman is trying to make us believe his 'deals' are better than they are.
A classic use for consumer skepticism.
Les politiciens nous prennent souvent pour des vessies pour des lanternes.
Politicians often try to pull the wool over our eyes.
Very common in political discourse.
Ne prenons pas des vessies pour des lanternes, les chiffres sont mauvais.
Let's not kid ourselves, the numbers are bad.
Used here to demand honesty and realism.
Il se croit génial, mais il me prend pour des vessies pour des lanternes !
He thinks he's great, but he's trying to sell me a load of nonsense!
Shows the person feels insulted by the date's behavior.
C'est juste un seau d'eau, ne prenons pas des vessies pour des lanternes.
It's just a bucket of water, let's not pretend it's a masterpiece.
A witty way to criticize pretentiousness.
J'ai longtemps pris des vessies pour des lanternes avec lui.
I spent a long time being deluded about who he really was.
Reflects on past blindness or naivety.
Test Yourself
Complétez la phrase avec les mots corrects.
Il est tellement naïf qu'il prend des ______ pour des ______.
L'expression idiomatique correcte utilise 'vessies' (bladders) et 'lanternes' (lanterns).
Quelle est la signification de cette expression ?
Quand on dit 'Il prend des vessies pour des lanternes', cela signifie :
L'expression signifie être dupe ou se faire des illusions.
Complétez le dialogue de manière naturelle.
A: 'Ce site propose des vacances gratuites !' B: 'Fais attention, ne ______.'
On utilise 'prendre' pour la personne qui risque d'être trompée.
Associez la situation à l'expression.
Lequel de ces scénarios illustre le mieux l'expression ?
C'est l'exemple parfait de prendre un objet sans valeur pour quelque chose de précieux.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIl est tellement naïf qu'il prend des ______ pour des ______.
L'expression idiomatique correcte utilise 'vessies' (bladders) et 'lanternes' (lanterns).
Quand on dit 'Il prend des vessies pour des lanternes', cela signifie :
L'expression signifie être dupe ou se faire des illusions.
A: 'Ce site propose des vacances gratuites !' B: 'Fais attention, ne ______.'
On utilise 'prendre' pour la personne qui risque d'être trompée.
Lequel de ces scénarios illustre le mieux l'expression ?
C'est l'exemple parfait de prendre un objet sans valeur pour quelque chose de précieux.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsIt is a classic idiom, but it is still very much in use today, especially in journalism and debates.
Yes, you can say someone is taking a person for a 'lanterne' (someone great) when they are actually a 'vessie' (someone worthless).
It is 'vessies'. The idiom always uses the plural form.
Related Phrases
se faire avoir
synonymTo be tricked or fooled.
faire avaler des couleuvres
similarTo make someone accept something hard to believe.
être une lumière
contrastTo be very bright/intelligent.
vendre du rêve
builds onTo sell a dream/illusion.
