World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesPrendre son mal en patience
Pronunciation / Transliteration: pʁɑ̃dʁ sɔ̃ mal ɑ̃ pasjɑ̃s
"Nous avons dû prendre notre mal en patience dans la salle d'attente."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
1 sense- 1
To be kept waiting for a long time.
"We had to cool our heels in the waiting room for over an hour before the manager finally saw us."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in the late 16th century, this idiom draws on the literal imagery of resting or sitting down after a long, tiring journey to allow hot, weary feet and heels to cool off. Over time, the meaning evolved metaphorically to describe the enforced idleness and patience required while being kept waiting by someone else.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Cool one's heels"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Cool one's heels" is said worldwide
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Prendre son mal en patience
Transliteration: pʁɑ̃dʁ sɔ̃ mal ɑ̃ pasjɑ̃s
"Nous avons dû prendre notre mal en patience dans la salle d'attente."
Sich in Geduld üben
Transliteration: zɪç ɪn ɡəˈdʊlt ˈyːbn̩
"Wir mussten uns im Wartezimmer in Geduld üben."
Attendere pazientemente
Transliteration: attenˈdeːre patsjenˈtemente
"Abbiamo dovuto attendere pazientemente nella sala d'attesa."
Esperar pacientemente
Transliteration: esperaɾ pasjenˈtemente
"Tuvimos que esperar pacientemente en la sala de espera."
Esperar sentado
Transliteration: ispeˈɾaɾ sẽˈtadu
"Tivemos que esperar sentados na sala de espera."
इंतज़ार करना
Transliteration: intzaar karna
"हमें प्रतीक्षा कक्ष में काफी देर तक इंतज़ार करना पड़ा।"
苦等
Transliteration: kǔ děng
"我们在候诊室里苦等了一个多小时。"
기다리다
Transliteration: gidarida
"우리는 대기실에서 한참 동안 기다려야 했다."
待たされる
Transliteration: matasareru
"待合室で1時間以上も待たされた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all French termsExplore Nuanced Synonyms for "Cool one's heels"
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