prêter le flanc

French

Etymology

Literally, “to lend the flank”. Compare Italian prestare il fianco.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pʁɛ.te lə flɑ̃/ ~ /pʁe.te lə flɑ̃/

• Audio:

  (file)

Verb

prêter le flanc

1. to lay oneself open, to leave oneself wide open [with à ‘to something negative, e.g. criticism’]

   prêter le flanc aux critiques ― to lay oneself open to criticism