boire comme un trou

/bwaʁ kɔm ɛ̃ tʁu/◆idiom
to drink heavily or excessively

Il boit comme un trou depuis qu'il a perdu son travail.

He's been drinking like a fish since he lost his job.

◆ What It Really Means
To drink alcohol in an uncontrolled or excessive manner, often to the point of intoxication.
Literal Meaning
To drink like a hole (as if the alcohol is disappearing into a hole).
Literal Breakdown
boireto drink+comme un troulike a hole
◇ Mental Image
The mental image is of someone drinking so much that the alcohol is being consumed as if it were disappearing into a hole, emphasizing the excessive and uncontrolled nature of the drinking.
◈ When to Use
A friend notices that their colleague has been drinking heavily at a party and comments, 'Il boit comme un trou ce soir.' (He's drinking like a fish tonight.)
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects a cultural attitude toward excessive drinking, often viewed negatively in French society, particularly when it leads to loss of control or addiction.
informal

To drink alcohol in large quantities, often to the point of intoxication, suggesting a lack of control or moderation.

Après la rupture, elle a commencé à boire comme un trou.

After the breakup, she started drinking like a fish.

This expression is often used to describe someone who drinks excessively, sometimes to cope with emotional distress.

Related Phrases

manger comme un trouidiom
to eat excessively

Pro Tip

Usage Context

This phrase is typically used in informal or conversational settings and may carry a negative connotation.

Word Origin

The phrase combines 'boire' (to drink) with 'comme un trou' (like a hole), metaphorically suggesting that the person drinks so much that it's as if the alcohol is disappearing into a hole.

Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to describe someone who drinks heavily, often in a negative or critical way. It can also imply a lack of self-control or a tendency toward addiction.

Word Breakdown

boire
to drink
root
+
comme un trou
like a hole
metaphor
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais