the word "comble"

I just learned this word as an adj. meaning "full" or packed" (packed theatre, resto, etc.).

"mot du jour" says it's also used figuratively as a noun -- "the height" ( of stupidity, audacity, etc.) or to mean "the last straw."

examples given:

Le comble, c'était quand il m'a menti - His lying to me was the last straw

La mesure est comble, je pars - That's the last straw, I'm leaving

it says it's also used in the expression "from top to bottom" ("de fond en comble")

The adjective is useful and was used in a podcast. Are the other two usages heard or would the French use something else? thank you.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Neil Coffey on April 14, 2012 at 1:18am

I think these uses are common enough-- perhaps a more common expression that you've missed is "Ça, c'est le comble!" (or in fact "c'est un comble" is also used).

If you want to say a bit more precisely "Him lying to me was the last straw", then possibly I'd suggest "Le comble, c'est qu'il m'a menti", but I'll confess this is possibly splitting hairs.