Il ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard

Expression: Il ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard

Pronunciation: [eel neu kas pa trwa paht a oo(n) ka nar]

Meaning: he's nothing to write home about, he's not that special / great

Literal translation: he doesn't break three of a duck's feet

Register: informal

Notes: You can use the French expression to talk about people or things that aren't very exciting or extraordinary. Obviously ducks only have two feet, so breaking three would take someone or something truly spectacular.

Of course, you can use different subjects, for example

• Jean-Philippe ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard
  "Jean-Philippe isn't that great."
  
• Elle ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard
  "She's not that great."
  
• Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard
  "It's / That's not that great."
  

   Tout le monde adore ce resto, mais moi, je trouve que ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard.
   Everyone loves this restaurant, but I don't think it's anything to write home about.


More

• Expressions with casser
• Most common French phrases