Common Phrases And Sayings Starting With "L"
Learn English and International Phrases and Sayings
L'etat C'est Moi
This phrase, "l'état, c'est moi" (pronounced "lay-tah, set moe"), is a French expression attributed to King Louis XIV of France. It means "I am the state" or "the state, it is me." It signifies that the king believed himself to be an absolute ruler, with his identity and authority intertwined with the state's. This phrase reflects the idea of divine right monarchy, where the king's power was thought to come directly from God, and he was seen as an embodiment of the state itself.
L'oiseau De Feu
The phrase "l'oiseau de feu" is French for "the firebird." In various contexts, it refers to a mythical or legendary bird associated with fire and often symbolizing renewal, transformation, or power. It has appeared in folklore and literature across different cultures, most notably in Russian tales and Igor Stravinsky's famous ballet, "The Firebird."
La Belle Dame Sans Merci
"La Belle Dame Sans Merci" is a title derived from a medieval French ballad, which translates to "The Beautiful Lady Without Mercy" in English. It typically refers to a mysterious and alluring woman who captivates men with her beauty but ultimately brings them harm or tragedy due to her lack of compassion or pity. The phrase is famously used as the title of an 1819 ballad poem by John Keats.
La Dolce Vita
"La dolce vita" is an Italian phrase that translates to "the sweet life" or "the good life" in English. It typically refers to a carefree, luxurious, and pleasurable lifestyle, often associated with hedonism, enjoyment, and the finer things in life. The phrase is famous due to Federico Fellini's 1960 film "La Dolce Vita," which portrayed the decadent and glamorous world of Rome's high society.
La Folle De Chaillot
"La Folle de Chaillot" is a French phrase which refers to "The Madwoman of Chaillot." It is the title of a play written by French playwright Jean Giraudoux in 1943. The story revolves around Countess Aurelie, who is known as the "madwoman" due to her eccentric behavior and flights of fancy. She lives in Paris' Chaillot neighborhood and, along with her friends, confronts and satirizes the greed and materialism of the world around her. The play is a commentary on the human condition, social norms, and the power of imagination.
La Grande Arche
"La Grande Arche" is a famous landmark located in Paris, France. It is an arch-shaped building designed by Danish architect Johann Otto von Spreckelsen and completed in 1989. The structure is part of the La Défense business district and stands as a modern interpretation of the traditional French triumphal arch. It also serves as an office building and cultural venue.
La Petite Mort
"La petite mort" is a French phrase that translates to "the little death" in English. It is an idiomatic expression commonly used to refer to the sensation of brief loss or weakening of consciousness, often experienced during an intense emotional or physical experience, such as an orgasm. It metaphorically compares the intensity of the moment to a fleeting brush with death.
La Reine Le Veut
The phrase "la reine le veut" is a French idiomatic expression that translates to "the queen wishes it" or "it is the queen's will." It is often used to convey that something is inevitable or unavoidable, as if the queen's desire or decree has made it so.
La Sauce Est Tout
The phrase "la sauce est tout" is French and translates to "the sauce is everything" or "it's all about the sauce" in English. It means that the quality or taste of a dish largely depends on the sauce used, or that the sauce is the most important element that makes the dish enjoyable.
La Tour D'argent
"La Tour d'Argent" is a famous restaurant in Paris, France. The name translates to "The Silver Tower" in English. It is known for its traditional French cuisine, especially its duck dish, and for its historic location with a view of the Seine River and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
La Tour Eiffel
The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark in Paris, France. It is a tall iron tower named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel, and was built for the 1889 World's Fair. It has become an iconic symbol of France and is visited by millions of tourists every year.
Ladies And Gentlemen
"Ladies and gentlemen" is a formal way to address an audience, usually at the beginning of a speech or event. It is a polite way to greet both women and men collectively, indicating respect and attention.
Laguna Del Carbon
Laguna del Carbon is a phrase in Spanish that translates to "Carbon Lagoon" in English. It refers to a body of water, typically a lagoon, that has a high concentration of carbon or is associated with carbon-rich sediments. It could be a natural feature or a site related to carbon deposition or storage.
Langue And Parole
"Langue" and "parole" are two important concepts in linguistics, particularly in the works of Ferdinand de Saussure. <br><br>Langue refers to the abstract, systematic, and rule-governed structure of a language, which is shared by a community of speakers. It encompasses the grammar, vocabulary, and conventions that make up a language as a system.<br><br>Parole, on the other hand, is the actual use of language in specific instances of communication. It is the concrete, individualized utterances or speech acts produced by speakers in real-life situations. Parole is the realization of langue in the form of spoken or written words in context.<br><br>In summary, langue is the system, and parole is the instantiation of that system in communicative events.
Langue De Bois
"Langue de bois" is a French phrase that translates to "wooden tongue" in English. It is an idiomatic expression used to describe meaningless, insincere, or clichéd speech or discourse, often associated with political or official statements that lack substance or honesty. It refers to language that is dull, rigid, and fails to convey genuine meaning or emotion.
Las Navas De Tolosa
"Las Navas de Tolosa" refers to a historic battle that took place on July 16, 1212, during the Reconquista, the centuries-long struggle by Christian kingdoms to regain control of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors. The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa was a major victory for the Christian forces, consisting of armies from Castile, Aragon, Navarre, and Portugal, led by King Alfonso VIII of Castile. They defeated the Muslim Almohad Caliphate, which marked a significant turning point in the Reconquista, weakening the Muslim rule in Spain and paving the way for further Christian expansion. The site of the battle is located near the town of La Alcudia, in the province of Ciudad Real, Spain.
Last But Not Least
"Last but not least" is an idiomatic expression used to emphasize that something or someone, although mentioned last, is still important and should not be overlooked. It implies that just because it comes at the end of a list or discussion, it doesn't mean it has less value than the others mentioned before it.
Last But One
"Last but one" refers to the second-to-last item or person in a series. It means that something or someone is not the last in the sequence, but the one preceding the final item. For example, if you have a list of five items, "last but one" would be the fourth item, as it is the one before the last item (the fifth).
Last Of All
"Last of all" means something is done or happens as the final item or action in a sequence. It refers to being the last thing to be considered, completed, or mentioned.
Late At Night
The phrase "late at night" refers to a time period when the clock shows a time that is further away from the start of the day. It is a period that is beyond the typical sleeping hours of most people, usually after midnight and before dawn.
Law And Order
"Law and order" refers to the maintenance of legal authority, stability, and control within a society. It emphasizes the importance of following laws and maintaining a system that ensures public safety, prevents crime, and upholds justice. This phrase is often used to discuss the responsibilities of government and law enforcement agencies in keeping society disciplined and orderly.
Lay Waste To
The phrase "lay waste to" means to destroy or devastate something completely, leaving it in a state of ruin or desolation.
Le Chatelier's Law
Le Chatelier's Law, also known as Chatelier's principle, states that if a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in concentration, temperature, or pressure, the system will adjust its equilibrium position to counteract the disturbance and re-establish a new equilibrium. In other words, the system will try to minimize the effect of the external change. This principle is commonly applied in chemical equilibrium to predict the direction of a chemical reaction when conditions are altered.
Le Coeur A Ses Raisons
A French phrase! "Le cœur a ses raisons" is a common idiomatic expression that is often translated to "The heart has its reasons" or "The heart knows its own reasons". It refers to the idea that people's emotions, feelings, and instincts can sometimes override rational thinking, and that the heart or intuition can guide them in ways that may not be immediately understandable or justifiable to others. The phrase is often used to describe situations where someone makes a decision or takes an action that seems irrational or inexplicable, but is actually motivated by their deeper emotional needs or desires.
Le Grand Bornand
"Le Grand Bornand" is a phrase that refers to a village and a ski resort located in the Haute-Savoie department of France. It is part of the Aravis mountain range and is known for its scenic beauty, skiing opportunities, and traditional Alpine architecture. The term "Grand Bornand" often signifies a destination for outdoor activities, particularly in winter, but it also offers summer activities like hiking and cycling.
Le Morte D'arthur
"Le Morte d'Arthur" is a book by Sir Thomas Malory that tells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The title can be translated from Old French as "The Death of Arthur." It is a classic work of English literature that recounts the rise, glory, and eventual fall of the legendary Arthurian kingdom.
Le Mot Juste
"Le mot juste" is a French phrase that translates to "the right word" or "the precise word" in English. It refers to the exact word that perfectly conveys the intended meaning in a given context.
Le Puy En Velay
"Le Puy-en-Velay" is a town in France, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is known for its historical and religious significance, particularly for the Notre-Dame du Puy Cathedral and its ancient volcanic landscape. The name refers to the specific location of the town, which is situated on a volcanic hill.
Le Roi Est Mort Vive Le Roi
"Long live the king" (French phrase often used to mark the transition of power from one monarch to another)
Le Roi Le Veut
"Le roi le veut" is a French phrase that translates to "The king wants it" or "As the king wishes" in English. It signifies that something is done because the king has expressed his desire or command for it.
Le Roi S'avisera
"Le roi s'avisera" is an old French phrase that translates to "the king will decide" or "it's up to the king to decide" in English. It refers to the authority of the king and the idea that he alone has the power to make a decision or judgment on a matter.
Le Style, C'est L'homme
"Le style, c'est l'homme" is a French phrase that translates to "Style is the man" or "The style, it is the man" in English. This expression suggests that a person's style, whether it refers to their fashion sense, writing style, or way of doing things, reflects their character and personality. It emphasizes the idea that one's style is an extension of who they are and can reveal aspects of their individuality.
League Of Nations
The League of Nations was an international organization founded after World War I with the aim of promoting peace, cooperation, and collective security among nations. It was established in 1920 and dissolved in 1946, replaced by the United Nations. The League aimed to resolve conflicts through diplomacy, prevent wars, and provide a forum for countries to discuss and address global issues. However, it ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of World War II due to various limitations and lack of support from major powers.
Leaps And Bounds
"Leaps and bounds" is an idiomatic expression that means "very rapid progress or improvement." It suggests a significant and noticeable advancement in a particular area, often in a short period of time. For example, "After months of practice, her piano skills improved by leaps and bounds."
Least Of All
"At least of all" is a idiomatic phrase that means "especially", "particularly", or "more than anything else". It is used to emphasize that something is the most important, significant, or noticeable among a group of things.<br><br>For example:<br><br> "I've always been the least of all my siblings in terms of academic achievement."<br> "This is the least of all the company's concerns right now."
Leave Me Alone
"Leave me alone" is an expression used to request someone to stop disturbing, bothering, or interfering with you. It indicates a desire for solitude or to be left undisturbed.