il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué

/il nə fo pa vɑ̃dʁ la po də l‿uʁs avɑ̃ də l‿a vɛ tɥe/

proverb★Intermediate◆proverb

◆ What It Really Means

To avoid assuming success before it is achieved; to not celebrate or plan based on an outcome that hasn't happened yet.

¶ Literal Meaning

One should not sell the bear's skin before having killed the bear.

Literal Breakdown

il ne faut pasone should not+vendre la peau de l'ourssell the bear's skin+avant de l'avoir tuébefore having killed it

◇ Mental Image

The image of a hunter who would sell the skin of a bear before successfully killing it, which is both illogical and foolish.

◈ When to Use

A team leader might say this to their team after a partial success, reminding them not to celebrate too early or make plans based on an uncertain outcome.

◉ Cultural Note

This proverb reflects the French cultural value of prudence and the importance of humility in the face of uncertainty.

informal

To avoid assuming success before it is achieved; to not celebrate or plan based on an outcome that hasn't happened yet.

Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué, alors attendons les résultats finaux.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch, so let's wait for the final results.

💡

This proverb emphasizes the importance of patience and humility in waiting for actual outcomes rather than making premature assumptions.

Synonyms

Related Phrases

ne pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tuéproverb

To avoid assuming success before it is achieved

💡Pro Tip

Usage Tip

This proverb is often used to advise against making plans or decisions based on uncertain or unachieved outcomes.

📖Word Origin

This proverb originates from French hunting culture, where killing a bear was a dangerous and uncertain endeavor. The idea is that one should not profit from something (selling the bear's skin) before ensuring its success (killing the bear).

📝Usage Notes

This expression is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to caution against overconfidence or premature planning.

Dictionnaire Français-Anglais

il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué

/il nə fo pa vɑ̃dʁ la po də l‿uʁs avɑ̃ də l‿a vɛ tɥe/

proverb★Intermediate◆proverb

◆ What It Really Means

To avoid assuming success before it is achieved; to not celebrate or plan based on an outcome that hasn't happened yet.

¶ Literal Meaning

One should not sell the bear's skin before having killed the bear.

Literal Breakdown

il ne faut pasone should not+vendre la peau de l'ourssell the bear's skin+avant de l'avoir tuébefore having killed it

◇ Mental Image

The image of a hunter who would sell the skin of a bear before successfully killing it, which is both illogical and foolish.

◈ When to Use

A team leader might say this to their team after a partial success, reminding them not to celebrate too early or make plans based on an uncertain outcome.

◉ Cultural Note

This proverb reflects the French cultural value of prudence and the importance of humility in the face of uncertainty.

informal

To avoid assuming success before it is achieved; to not celebrate or plan based on an outcome that hasn't happened yet.

Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué, alors attendons les résultats finaux.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch, so let's wait for the final results.

💡

This proverb emphasizes the importance of patience and humility in waiting for actual outcomes rather than making premature assumptions.

Synonyms

Related Phrases

ne pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tuéproverb

To avoid assuming success before it is achieved

💡Pro Tip

Usage Tip

This proverb is often used to advise against making plans or decisions based on uncertain or unachieved outcomes.

📖Word Origin

📝Usage Notes

This expression is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to caution against overconfidence or premature planning.

Dictionnaire Français-Anglais