Tomber dans le panneau

Expression: Tomber dans le panneau

Pronunciation: [to(n) bay da(n) leu pah no]

Meaning: to fall for it, to be gullible

Literal translation: to fall in the trap

Register: informal

Notes: The French expression tomber dans le panneau, or donner dans le panneau, is quite logical once you know that an old meaning of un panneau is "a vertical net for catching game," known as a "keep net" or "keeper." So it just means to fall into a figurative trap, such as when you believe in something or someone and get caught by your own naïveté or ignorance.

Example
   Il t'a convaincu de lui prêter de l'argent ? Il ne travaille même pas - tu es tombé dans le panneau !
   He convinced you to lend him money? He doesn't even have a job - you really fell for it!

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More

• Expressions with tomber
• Expressions with dans
• Most common French phrases