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Manquer d'air - Tu ne manques pas d'air

French expressions analyzed and explained

By , About.com Guide

Expression: Tu ne manques pas d'air

Pronunciation: [tu neu ma(n)k pa dehr]

Meaning: You've got some nerve/cheek

Literal translation: You don't lack air

Register: informal

Notes: The French expression manquer d'air means "to lack air," as in On manque d'air - il faut ouvrir la fenêtre (It's stuffy / There's no air in here - we need to open a window).

Informally, ne pas manquer d'air is synonymous with avoir du culot and ne pas manquer du culot - to have nerve/cheek.

Examples

   Tu oses revenir après ce que tu as fait ? Tu ne manques pas d'air !
   You dare come back after what you did? You've got some nerve!

   Il ne manque pas d'air, lui !
   He's got some nerve, that guy!

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