Pronunciation: [bo(n) gray mal gray]
Meaning: like it or not
Literal translation: good liking or bad liking
Register: normal
Notes: The French expression bon gré mal gré is used when giving orders or when talking about something that was done unwillingly. As with the English equivalent "like it or not," the underlying meaning is really "even though you don't like it / want to."
Examples
Tu vas assister à la réunion, bon gré mal gré !
You're going to attend the meeting whether you like it or not!
Bon gré mal gré, l'université a expulsé les trois étudiants concernés.
The university reluctantly expelled the three students involved, The university was obliged to expel....
Synonyms
- malgré soi - literally "despite oneself" (and one's own desires)
- que l'on le veuille ou non, que vous le veuillez ou non (formal) - literally, "that one wants it or not, that you want it or not"
- de bon gré - willingly
- de mal gré - reluctantly
- more expressions with gré
More
