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À poil

French expressions analyzed and explained

By , About.com Guide

Expression: à poil

Pronunciation: [a pwal]

Meaning: stark naked, in the buff

Literal translation: in hair

Register: familiar

Notes: The French expression à poil refers to body hair - when you are à poil, you're wearing nothing but your own hair. It's equivalent to the English expression "in one's birthday suit," and can be used as an adjective or as a command in numerous expressions:

   être à poil  (to be stark naked)
   se baigner à poil  (to go skinny-dipping)
   se mettre à poil  (to strip down to one's birthday suit)
   un mec / une fille à poil  (a naked guy / girl)
   À poil !  (Take 'em off!)

Example:
   N'ouvre pas la porte - je suis à poil !
   Don't open the door - I'm completely naked!

Synonyms:
   nu (naked, nude)
   déshabillé (undressed)
   en costume/tenue d'Adam/d'Ève (in one's birthday suit)

Attention: the French expression au poil is an informal way to say "great!" or "perfect!"

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