la main sur le cœur

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

French

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Putting one's hand on one's heart when talking is seen as a gesture of sincerity.

Pronunciation

[edit]
  • IPA(key): /la mɛ̃ syʁ lə kœʁ/
  • Audio:(file)

Adverb

[edit]

la main sur le cœur

  1. in all sincerity, open-heartedly, wearing one's heart on one's sleeve
    mentir la main sur le cœurto lie brazenly, shamelessly

Usage notes

[edit]
  • Not to be confused with avoir le cœur sur la main.
  • Generally carries a negative connotation; used when someone is duplicitous enough to lie while giving the appearance of telling the truth and only the truth; compare "to lie under oath".

See also

[edit]