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French expression of the Day: L'heure des comptes

The Local France
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French expression of the Day: L'heure des comptes
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond"

Is this time approaching for you? Let's hope not!

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Why do I need to know l'heure des comptes?

It's a fairly common phrases, particularly in French media, but it's also useful if you need to create a sense of peril or possible imminent doom.

What does it mean?

It means the time of accounting or, to give it its more usual English translation, the hour of reckoning or day or reckoning.

So if you've been potentially involved in something disreputable and your chickens are now coming home to roost, this is one for you.

You may have seen it in the French press recently in relation to the opening of the trial of former French presidential candidate François Fillon, who is accused of paying millions of euros in public money to his British-born wife Penelope for work she did not do.

 

It's quite often used in relation to politics.

Le dimanche soir, lorsque tous les votes auront été comptés, sera l'heure des comptes - Sunday evening, once all the votes have been counted, will be the time of reckoning.

But it doesn't necessarily have to be political, it's sometimes also used in a financial context for companies publishing their annual accounts.

Or if you just want to inject a sense a slight menace into everyday situations - because life is always more fun with drama - you can inform people

Aujourd'hui, c'est l'heure des comptes - Today is the day of reckoning

L'heure des comptes est venue, mes amis - A reckoning has come, my friends.

 

 

 

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