vaches grasses
French
Etymology
Literally, “fat 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).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /vaʃ ɡʁas/
Noun
vaches grasses f pl (plural only)
- (figuratively) abundance
- temps de vaches grasses, période de vaches grasses, années de vaches grasses ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)
- Synonyms: abondance, opulence
- Antonyms: vaches maigres, disette, pénurie