Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
servir de lièvre
English translation:
open the floodgates
Added to glossary by
Stéphanie Soudais
Apr 29, 2008 07:50
16 yrs ago
3 viewers *
French term
servir de lièvre
French to English
Art/Literary
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Bullet point, reads as follows:
Préparer les éléments critiques de l'accord avec XXX qui devront etre discutés dans la réunion de travail du 16 juillet (motivations stratégiques de XXX, risque de servir de lièvre, modes de sortie de l'accord, ...)
Préparer les éléments critiques de l'accord avec XXX qui devront etre discutés dans la réunion de travail du 16 juillet (motivations stratégiques de XXX, risque de servir de lièvre, modes de sortie de l'accord, ...)
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +2 | 2 distinct possibilities (see below) |
Carol Gullidge
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| 3 +2 | open the way (for others) |
Sandra Petch
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| 3 | act as a coach driver/coachman |
Euqinimod (X)
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Change log
May 7, 2008 10:13: Carol Gullidge Created KOG entry
Jan 14, 2011 13:00: Stéphanie Soudais changed "Edited KOG entry" from "<a href="/profile/134264">Carol Gullidge's</a> old entry - "servir de lièvre"" to ""open the floodgates (in this context)""
Proposed translations
+2
21 mins
Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
poetically precise prose with... panache
Native in: English 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
47
Selected
2 distinct possibilities (see below)
without more context, either of these seems possible, but they are quite different:
opening the floodgates
setting a precedent
opening the floodgates
setting a precedent
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
writeaway
: more than just 2 distinct possibilities. context will determine so Asker will have to judge. lots of hints in dicos.
44 mins
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of course, that goes without saying. The 2 possibilities were my own suggestions, not in the least implying that these are the only possibilities!
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| agree |
Jim Tucker (X)
: yes, agree that the possible negative overtones of the phrase here should be called to asker's attention
1 hr
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many thanks Jim!
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| agree |
sueaberwoman
4 hrs
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thanks sueaberwoman!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you - opening the floodgates seemed to best fit the context."
59 mins
act as a coach driver/coachman
I think it's the idea. May be there's a better term or phrase to convey the overtone of concern.
+2
3 mins
open the way (for others)
I think it's referring to those electric hares that greyhounds are made to race after... or the athlete that runs at the head of the others to help them pace themselves (in longer distance events). He/she is also called the "lièvre".
Here I think they are concerned that they will open the way for others. Another French expression that came to mind was "débroussailer le chemin". They do all the hard work which others may then benefit from.
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Note added at 4 hrs (2008-04-29 12:14:48 GMT)
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The three points in brackets are all things they seem concerned about: the other party's motivations, how to get out of the agreement if needs be, and the risk of letting others follow in their wake.
Another way of saying it might be "risk of leaving an open door for others."
Here I think they are concerned that they will open the way for others. Another French expression that came to mind was "débroussailer le chemin". They do all the hard work which others may then benefit from.
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Note added at 4 hrs (2008-04-29 12:14:48 GMT)
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The three points in brackets are all things they seem concerned about: the other party's motivations, how to get out of the agreement if needs be, and the risk of letting others follow in their wake.
Another way of saying it might be "risk of leaving an open door for others."
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Nadia Ayoub
17 mins
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Thank you!
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| agree |
Emma Paulay
: It sounds like they're worried about paving the way for others - and possibly being overtaken. Only more context would confirm that though.
1 hr
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Discussion