Dire ses quatre vérités

Expression: Dire ses quatre vérités (à quelqu'un)

Pronunciation: [deer say kahtr(eu) vay ree tay]

Meaning: to tell (someone) a few home truths, give (someone) a piece of one's mind, not pull any punches (with someone)

Literal translation: to tell (someone) his / her four truths

Register: normal

Notes: The French expression dire ses quatre vérités means to be perfectly blunt and honest, telling another person negative things that are potentially hurtful. I don't know why there are "four" truths in the French expression, but ses indicates that those truths belong to the listener, as opposed to the speaker. Anne thinks that Jean is selfish and rude, so she's going to tell him those truths about himself. In contrast, the English equivalent "to give someone a piece of one's mind" is talking about the speaker's mind. It doesn't really make any difference, but I think it's an interesting distinction.

Example:
   Si Anne a vraiment marre de l'égoïsme et l'impolitesse de son mari, elle doit lui dire ses quatre vérités.
   If Anne really is sick of her husband's selfishness and rudeness, she needs to give him a piece of her mind.

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