Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
Ne pas faire l'affaire
English translation:
to not fit the bill/to turn out to be unsuitable
Added to glossary by
Black & White
Dec 30, 2006 15:06
17 yrs ago
2 viewers *
French term
Native in: English 
, Spanish
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English, French to English
Ne pas faire l'affaire
French to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
General
In an interview with a woman living in France (Algerian parents, born and brought up in France, lived 6 years in Tahiti, is Muslim):
"Je pense que la France devrait s’y intéresser, faire comme au Canada qui fait l’immigration contrôlée, c’est parfait ça. Vous faites vos preuves, vous êtes gardé, **vous ne faites pas l’affaire**, ben… "
The only thing that seems to fit is, "you don't cause any trouble/you do as you're told", but I'm not at all sure that's what she means here.
(Please note that the opinion expressed here is the interviewee's and not my own!).
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
"Je pense que la France devrait s’y intéresser, faire comme au Canada qui fait l’immigration contrôlée, c’est parfait ça. Vous faites vos preuves, vous êtes gardé, **vous ne faites pas l’affaire**, ben… "
The only thing that seems to fit is, "you don't cause any trouble/you do as you're told", but I'm not at all sure that's what she means here.
(Please note that the opinion expressed here is the interviewee's and not my own!).
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+13
14 mins
Selected
do not fit in/do not fit the bill YOU TURN OUT TO BE UNSUITABLE
you prove your worth, they keep you - you don't fit in/fit the bill, they (kick you out...)
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Note added at 15 mins (2006-12-30 15:21:16 GMT)
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faire l'affaire - to be suitable
match expectations
live up to requirements
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Note added at 15 mins (2006-12-30 15:21:16 GMT)
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faire l'affaire - to be suitable
match expectations
live up to requirements
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
suezen
3 mins
|
| agree |
Juan Jacob
: Voilà, voilà.
6 mins
|
| agree |
PB Trans
: yes, that's it although I don't think it refers to being kicked out. Eligibility is determined before the person leaves his/her country (points system).
6 mins
|
| agree |
RHELLER
: this would also be my understanding
6 mins
|
| agree |
Cetacea
: with "do not fit the bill".
6 mins
|
| agree |
danièle davout
: with "do not fit the bill"
1 hr
|
| agree |
NancyLynn
1 hr
|
| agree |
Raymonde Gagnier
: exactement
2 hrs
|
| agree |
cjohnstone
2 hrs
|
| agree |
Carolyn Brice
: fit the bill
4 hrs
|
| agree |
blavatsky
: I guess it is all about being mindful of how you 'let them down' or 'dismiss them'
5 hrs
|
| agree |
Ian Davies
: fit the bill
7 hrs
|
| agree |
Stephanie Sullivan
: do not fit the bill
17 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks for this wonderful idiomatic translation and to all those who agreed with it!"
-2
3 mins
don't cause a scene/sensation
I agree with you and think it's about keeping quiet and not causing a stir or making a fuss
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Claire Cox
: Yes, don't make a fuss was what came to my mind too
1 min
|
| disagree |
CMJ_Trans (X)
: sorry this is not the meaning at all - see below
9 mins
|
| disagree |
Cetacea
: CMJ_Trans is absolutely right.
19 mins
|
| disagree |
ACOZ (X)
: CMJ_Trans is right
9 hrs
|
37 mins
Don't make the grade
Another way of putting it.
+2
4 hrs
If you don't meet the requirements
Another option...
Refers to meeting the requirements of controlled immigration (the points system, as explained in the comment box above).
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Note added at 5 hrs (2006-12-30 20:17:00 GMT)
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There are other immigration classes, apart from the points system for skilled workers. There is business class (for managers and business owners who can invest substantially in Canada), family class (for citizens and permanent residents of Canada who want to sponsor a close family member) and refugees. Each of these classes will have eligibility requirements in order to process the applications for immigration.
See this link for more information on requirements:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/faq/immigrating-1.html
Refers to meeting the requirements of controlled immigration (the points system, as explained in the comment box above).
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2006-12-30 20:17:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
There are other immigration classes, apart from the points system for skilled workers. There is business class (for managers and business owners who can invest substantially in Canada), family class (for citizens and permanent residents of Canada who want to sponsor a close family member) and refugees. Each of these classes will have eligibility requirements in order to process the applications for immigration.
See this link for more information on requirements:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/faq/immigrating-1.html
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
suezen
: I see what you're getting at here.
39 mins
|
|
thanks
|
|
| agree |
ACOZ (X)
: Yes, Australia has the same system. "If you meet the requirements, you stay; if you don't, you're out".
4 hrs
|
Discussion