TOMBER DANS LES POMMES

Literally: to fall in the apples

Meaning: to faint

Best equivalent: ?

Yet another French expression that takes roots in the Middle Ages. The earliest version was Tomber dans les pâmes, from the verb Se pâmer, which still means to faint. Pâmes slowly morphed to pommes (apples in French) in this expression. Se pâmer is now more often used in a figurative way of speech.

Se pâmer for someone or something means to fall for someone or something extremely great. It implies a strong feeling of admiration close to fainting.

When the expression Tomber dans les Pommes is still very current, se pâmer is old fashioned and carries a note of irony.

See you tomorrow for the letter S, part of the A to Z challenge!