Learn English and International Phrases and Sayings
P.G. Wodehouse was a British author and humorist, known for his comedic novels and short stories, particularly those featuring the characters Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves. His writing is characterized by its wit, clever wordplay, and depiction of an idyllic, humorous version of English upper-class society in the early 20th century.
"Pacta sunt servanda" is a Latin phrase that means "agreements must be kept." It is a fundamental principle in contract law and international relations, emphasizing the importance of honoring and fulfilling agreements and commitments made between parties.
"Pactum de quota litis" is a Latin term that refers to an agreement between parties involved in a legal dispute, where they consent to share the costs or damages resulting from the litigation according to a predetermined proportion or quota. It essentially means a "contractual agreement regarding the division of the lawsuit."
"Pain au chocolat" is a French pastry made with a croissant dough filled with chocolate. It is often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack.
Pain aux raisins is a French pastry that translates to "grape bread" in English. It is a type of viennoiserie, similar to a croissant, but filled with raisins or sometimes other dried fruits. It is often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack.
Pain de mie is a type of French bread that is typically soft, with a fine crumb structure, and often used for sandwiches or to make toast. It is also known as "white bread" or "sandwich bread" in English.
"a pain in the neck" is an idiomatic expression that means someone or something that is annoying, frustrating, or inconvenient. It is often used to describe a person, situation, or thing that causes trouble or discomfort. The phrase is thought to have originated from the idea that having something or someone constantly poking or rubbing against the neck can be quite irritating.
Palais de Chaillot is a famous neoclassical building located in Paris, France. It was constructed for the 1937 World's Fair and is known for its grand architecture and its location overlooking the Trocadéro gardens and the Eiffel Tower. The palace houses several cultural institutions, including theaters, museums, and exhibition halls.
"Palais des Nations" is a French phrase that translates to "Palace of Nations" in English. It refers to a prominent building in Geneva, Switzerland, which serves as the headquarters of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) and was originally built for the League of Nations. The Palais des Nations is a significant location for international diplomacy and hosts various conferences, meetings, and events.
"Panem et circenses" is a Latin phrase that translates to "bread and circuses" in English. It refers to the idea of providing basic necessities (bread) and entertainment (circuses) to the masses as a means of maintaining control or distracting them from political or social issues. The phrase comes from ancient Rome, where the government would distribute free bread and organize gladiatorial games to keep the population content.
Papua New Guinea is a country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous smaller islands. It is known for its diverse culture, rainforest wilderness, and indigenous tribes. The phrase "Papua New Guinea" refers to this nation, which gained independence from Australia in 1975.
Papua New Guinean refers to a person or something related to Papua New Guinea, a country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It encompasses the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous islands. The term is used for the people, culture, or origin of this nation.
"Papua New Guineans" refers to the people who are from Papua New Guinea, a country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It encompasses the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous smaller offshore islands. The term denotes the citizens or natives of this country, who have a diverse range of cultures, languages, and ethnic backgrounds.
"Pars pro toto" is a Latin phrase that means "a part for the whole." It refers to the practice of using a specific part of something to represent or stand in for the entire thing. In other words, it's when a part is used to signify the whole, or when a detail is taken as a symbol of a larger entity.
"Part and parcel" refers to an essential or inseparable element of something, implying that it is a necessary component or aspect of the whole.
"Partes extra partes" is a Latin phrase that translates to "things outside things" or "external parties." In legal or contractual contexts, it refers to individuals or entities who are not directly involved in an agreement or dispute but may be affected by its outcome or have an interest in it. It can also signify that something is being considered from an objective or external perspective, separate from the involved parties.
"Pas de basque" is a French phrase that translates to "no Basque" or "not Basque" in English. It is often used to indicate the absence or lack of something related to Basque culture, people, or language. The Basque Country is a region located in southwestern Europe, spanning across parts of France and Spain, with its own distinct language and cultural heritage.
Pas de bourrée is a French phrase that refers to a type of step in ballet dancing. It is a quick, light step that involves brushing the foot against the floor and then quickly lifting it off the ground. The phrase is often translated to English as "step without bourée" or simply "step". In ballet, it is a fundamental step that is often used in combination with other steps to create complex movement patterns. It is a key part of classical ballet technique and is used in many different ballets and styles of dance.
"Pas-de-Calais" is a French phrase that refers to a department in northern France. It is named after the Strait of Calais, which is the body of water that separates France from England. The phrase is often used to denote the region, its cultural identity, or geographical location.
"pas de chat" is a French phrase that translates to "no cat" or "without a cat" in English. It is often used metaphorically to express the absence of something or someone, particularly in a situation where their presence was expected or desired.
"pas de cheval" is a French phrase that translates to "no horse" in English. It is often used metaphorically to express the absence of something or the lack of a specific quality or characteristic.
"Pas de deux" is a French phrase that translates to "dance of two" in English. It typically refers to a dance performed by two people, usually a male and a female, in ballet or other forms of dance. It involves intricate and choreographed movements that showcase the partnership, synchronization, and skill of the dancers.
"pas de poisson" is a French phrase that translates to "no fish" or "without fish" in English. It is often used to indicate a lack of fish or to specify that something does not contain fish.
"Pas de trois" is a French term used in ballet, meaning a dance for three people, typically two principal dancers and a third dancer who performs with them. It usually refers to a choreographed sequence where all three dancers perform together, often with intricate partnering and synchronization.
"pas de valse" is a French phrase that translates to "no waltz" or "not a waltz" in English. It typically refers to a situation where a waltz dance is not allowed or not suitable, or it could also be used metaphorically to indicate that something is not proceeding in a smooth, graceful manner like a waltz.
"Pasta e fagioli" is an Italian dish consisting of pasta and beans, typically made with a hearty tomato-based broth or sauce. It is a classic, comforting, and nutritious meal popular in Italian cuisine.
Pâte à choux is a type of pastry dough used in French cuisine to make light and airy pastries such as éclairs, profiteroles, and gougeres. It is characterized by its high water content, which creates steam during baking, causing the dough to puff up and form a hollow interior. The name "choux" comes from the French word for "cabbage," referring to the rounded or puffed shape of the baked pastries.
Pate de foie gras is a French delicacy made from the liver of a fattened goose or duck. It is a smooth and rich pate with a luxurious texture and flavor, typically served as an appetizer or in gourmet cuisine.
"Pay attention to" means to focus or direct one's concentration, observation, or mindfulness towards something or someone. It implies giving something or someone the necessary care and consideration they require.
To "pay through the nose" means to pay an excessive or high price for something, usually indicating that someone has been overcharged or has had to bear a substantial financial burden.
The "pays de Bray" is a region in France, located in the department of Seine-et-Marne, in the Île-de-France region. It's known for its rolling hills, meadows, and small villages, as well as its traditional brick architecture. The term "pays" refers to a specific type of landscape or cultural area in France, often characterized by its distinctive geography, heritage, or traditions.
The "Pays de Caux" is a region located in Normandy, France. It is known for its picturesque countryside, chalk cliffs, and historic towns. The name refers to the Caux plateau, which is characterized by its white limestone hills and fertile soil. This area is also famous for its traditional half-timbered houses and its culinary specialties, such as Camembert cheese and apple cider.
"Pays de Gex" is a region located in the eastern part of France, near the Swiss border. It is part of the Ain department and is known for its beautiful countryside, including forests, hills, and the Jura Mountains. The area is also home to the particle physics laboratory CERN. "Pays" refers to a region or country, while "Gex" is the name of a town that serves as the administrative center for the area.
"Peace and quiet" refers to a state of calmness and stillness, free from disturbance or noise. It implies a peaceful environment where one can relax or concentrate without interruptions.
"Peas in a pod" is an idiomatic expression that refers to things or people that are very similar, closely matched, or inseparable. It comes from the way peas are tightly packed and nearly identical within their pod. When someone says two things or people are like "peas in a pod," they mean they are very alike or have a strong bond.
"Peer to peer" refers to a system or network where individuals or devices interact with each other directly, without the need for a central authority or intermediary. It is often used in the context of file sharing, where users can share files directly with one another, or in financial transactions, where individuals can transfer money directly between their accounts without involving a bank. The phrase implies a decentralized structure where all participants have equal status and can communicate or exchange resources on a horizontal level.