facon de parler

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I may speak of it as my place, but that is merely a facon de parler; it isn't necessary to explain to everybody that it's my mother's.

From The Market-Place by Frederic, Harold

"Well, really, Ma'am, you prodigiously surprise me!-mais, apparemment ce n'est qu'une facon de parler? -though I should beg your pardon, for probably you do not understand French?"

From Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World by Burney, Fanny

You're misled, no doubt, by a mere playful facon de parler, which society indulges in.

From The British Barbarians by Allen, Grant

This may be said to be literally true and not a facon de parler, as I once killed an elk that jumped through a window.

From The Rifle and the Hound in Ceylon by Baker, Samuel White, Sir

He told me afterwards that it was only a facon de parler, but I was angry.

From The Brother of Daphne by Yates, Dornford