mettre les petits plats dans les grands

French

Etymology

Literally, “to put the little dishes in the big ones”. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mɛ.tʁə le p(ə).ti pla dɑ̃ le ɡʁɑ̃/ ~ /me.tʁə le p(ə).ti pla dɑ̃ le ɡʁɑ̃/

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Verb

mettre les petits plats dans les grands

1. (figuratively) to put on the ritz, put on the dog, put on a great spread, lay out a real spread, pull out all the stops, to get the good/best china out

See also

• tuer le veau gras