"Esprit De L'escalier" Pronounce,Meaning And Examples

"Esprit De L'escalier" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers

Esprit De L'escalier

"Esprit De L'escalier" Meaning

"Esprit de l'escalier" is a French phrase that translates to "staircase wit" in English. It refers to the feeling of coming up with a clever response or comeback too late, typically after an argument or conversation has ended, and when it is no longer useful or appropriate to deliver the witty remark. The term imagery comes from the idea of thinking of the perfect retort as one is leaving a room, descending the staircase, and unable to use it in the moment.

"Esprit De L'escalier" Examples

1. "After leaving the party, I finally thought of the perfect comeback for that witty remark - such a classic case of esprit de l'escalier!"

2. "I always experience esprit de l'escalier when I'm in a heated debate; the most brilliant responses come to me once I'm already walking away."

3. "In hindsight, it's amusing how I was left speechless during the argument; my best retorts only occurred to me in the elevator, a true moment of esprit de l'escalier."

4. "As I hung up the phone, I realized I should have responded differently to her criticism; the irony of esprit de l'escalier never fails to frustrate me."

5. "While reading through the comments section, I found myself wishing I could go back in time and edit my post with the clever reply that came to me just after hitting 'submit' - a classic example of esprit de l'escalier."

"Esprit De L'escalier" Similar Phrases

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Enjoy Your Meal

"Enjoy your meal" is an expression used to wish someone a pleasant and satisfying dining experience. It is often said by servers in restaurants or by friends and family when sharing a meal together.

Epater Le Bourgeois

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Erich Von Stroheim

Erich von Stroheim is a phrase referring to an Austrian-American film director, actor, and writer who was active during the silent era of cinema. He was known for his work as a "supervillain" character actor and for his influential but controversial directing style. Von Stroheim's films often explored themes of decadence, corruption, and moral decay, and he was famous for his attention to detail and insistence on realism. One of his most notable films is "Greed" (1924), which originally had a much longer runtime before being heavily edited by the studio.

Ernst And Young

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Esprit De Corps

Esprit de corps refers to a sense of unity, pride, and camaraderie among a group of people, typically within an organization or team. It signifies a strong bond and shared sense of purpose that fosters cooperation and loyalty among members.

Et Tu Brute

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Euskadi Ta Askatasuna

"Euskadi Ta Askatasuna" is an acronym that stands for "Basque Country and Freedom" in the Basque language. It was the name of a Basque separatist organization, commonly known as ETA, which was active from 1959 to 2018. The group was involved in a violent campaign for Basque independence from Spain and France, carrying out numerous attacks and assassinations. In 2018, ETA declared a definitive cessation of its armed activity and later disbanded.

Ever And Anon

"Ever and anon" is an archaic phrase that means "from time to time" or "occasionally." It suggests that something happens intermittently or repeatedly, but not constantly.

Every Now And Again

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Every Now And Then

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Every So Often

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Ex Aequo Et Bono

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