vaches maigres

French

Etymology

Literally, “lean cows”; an allusion to the story in Genesis, chapter 41, in which Pharaoh has a dream in which seven lean cows devour seven fat cows. The dream is interpreted by Joseph to mean that seven years of plenty will be followed by seven years of famine (see Joseph (Genesis) § Joseph in prison). Compare Spanish vacas flacas.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /vaʃ mɛɡʁ/

Noun

vaches maigres f pl (plural only)

  1. (figuratively) scarcity
    Synonyms: disette, pénurie
    Antonyms: vaches grasses, abondance, opulence
    temps de vaches maigres, période de vaches maigres, années de vaches maigres ― lean times, lean period, lean years
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