LES DOIGTS DANS LE NEZ
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Literally: fingers in the nose
Best equivalent: hands down
When something is very easy to do, the French often say: les doigts dans le nez, implying that it’s so simple you have time to put your fingers in your nose while accomplishing the task. Here in the States, we are a little less graphic 🙂
See you tomorrow for the letter O, part of the A to Z challenge!
Evelyne Holingue 
That’s really funny.
Like, “with one hand tied behind my back.” Only, with a finger up your nose. I get it!
I didn’t know your expression, Lisa. But that’s exactly what the French one means. Thank you for stopping by.
Still, I am amused at the idea of a nose-picker releasing a nostril for any reason. Some of those pickers are seriously dedicated.
Right:)
Thank you, Marilyn for your Monday visit.
Ha ha – I won’t be using that, but it is funny. A good expression for a snowy Monday.
What’s funny too is the fact that I find the expression funnier now than I ever did when I used it in France 🙂
Glad it made you smile on another New England snowy spring day. Not surprised, though. Mid April snow is quite frequent there. Often the very last one. Be safe if the roads are slippery.
I am hoping this is the last one. Thanks!
It is often the last one when that late in the season. The rest of the spring will go “les doigts dans le nez.”
You’re going to have me wanting to
Learn French 🙂
HI Evelyne – oh how funny … but not nice to think about … cheers Hilary
Agree, now that I don’t use it very often, it is a little gross. But as I wrote above, it never felt this way when I lived in France.
That action, like many things, just doesn’t sound as icky if you say it in French. However, I will stick to the boring “C’est très simple” and leave it at that. In English I’d usually say that one could “do that blindfolded with one hand tied behind my back”.
C’est très simple is perfect. For some reason “les doigts dans le nez” never seemed gross when I used it back in France.
Picky, picky, picky. 🙂 –Curt
Ha ha! Right!
I like the idea that if something is easy, you’d spend your free time putting your fingers in your nose. I might choose to place them elsewhere but it’s a good visual. Weekends In Maine