Prendre l'eau

Expression: Prendre l'eau

Pronunciation: [pra(n) dr(eu) lo]

Meaning: to leak, let in water, take on water; to founder

Literal translation: to take the water

Register: normal

Notes: The French expression prendre l'eau literally means "to take (on) water" and can be used to talk about leaky shoes, boats, tents, and so on.

Figuratively, prendre l'eau means "to founder, head toward collapse" in reference to a project or company. The figurative meaning is easy to understand - if a boat leaks too much, it will sink, literally. If a company leaks (loses) a lot of money, it too will sink (fail).

Example
   Cette entreprise a déjà fermé deux filiales en France et continue à prendre l'eau au Canada.
   This company has already closed two branches in France and is continuing to founder in Canada.

Similar expression: prendre de l'eau - to have / drink some water


More

• Expressions with prendre
• Most common French phrases