En faire tout un fromage: Fun French expression no. 9
This phrase unusually paints cheese in a non-flattering light - find out why
There are many varieties of cheeses in France, all of which require complicated preparation
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Considering how important cheese is in French cuisine and culture, it should come as no surprise that it also features in a host of expressions. The ninth entry in our fun French expressions daily series is one example.
Read more: C'est pas le pingouin qui glisse le plus loin sur la banquise: Fun French expression no. 6
En faire tout un fromage
Literal translation: Making a whole cheese of it
If you have ever complained about a little thing in front of a no-nonsense French person, they will undoubtedly have told you 'ça ne sert à rien d'en faire tout un fromage' (there is no point in making a whole cheese of it).
It is similar to a previously featured expression, on va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures, but their usages are different.
Read more: On va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures : Fun French expression no. 1
En faire tout un fromage means to make a big deal out of something small, or to make a fuss. For example, in a classroom, if a student is fixating on a small, unimportant detail and the teacher wants to move on, they might use it.
It stems from the fact that cheese requires a complicated process to make from a simple ingredient, milk. Unusually, it paints cheese in a non-positive light despite its reputation in France, because ‘making a cheese of something’ is a negative expression.
A similar expression in French is se prendre la tête pour rien. This directly translates to ‘take your head for nothing’ and it means to get worked up over nothing.
Read more: Il y a du monde au balcon: Fun French expression no. 8
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