Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

light isn't on

French translation:

Elle n’est pas à ce qu’elle fait.

Added to glossary by Véronique Stone
Apr 29, 2010 19:37
14 yrs ago
English term

light isn't on

English to French Other General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
"The light isn't on. And if she thinks she can get away with a performance as poor as that, she is wrong."
Il s'agit d'une jeune fille qui tourne un film et qui ne fait pas d'effort, car son interprétation est minable.
Que veut dire "the light isn't on"? Merci !
Change log

May 7, 2010 22:08: Véronique Stone Created KOG entry

Discussion

Sheila Wilson Apr 30, 2010:
Meaning in education In teaching, you can sometimes see when the "light goes on" - when someone really finally understands what you are trying to get across. Happens more often in maths than English teaching, of course - my maths teacher was always looking for the lights to go on. Don't know if that helps here, though.
Tony M Apr 29, 2010:
No inspiration It means the performance is dull, lack-lustre, humdrum — there is no 'spark' of inspiration to take it to new heights; just ordinary..

Proposed translations

+1
29 mins
Selected

Elle n’est pas à ce qu’elle fait.

Je pense que c’est la même idée que ‘she’s not switched on’
Peer comment(s):

agree superlette : les projecteurs ne se sont pas allumés car la performence n'a pas brillée
5 mins
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Merci !"
35 mins

elle est complètement éteinte

....
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11 hrs

aucune étincelle

...
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12 hrs

ça n'est pas brillant ou rien d'éblouissant

idée
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13 hrs

elle ne fait pas sensation

sa performance est nulle
elle ne

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Note added at 13 hrs (2010-04-30 09:22:58 GMT)
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elle est plate, sa performance est plate
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14 hrs

Elle n'a pas le feu sacré

Elle n'a pas d'ardeur au travail.
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Reference comments

1 hr
Reference:

Contexte

La premiere phrase ne decrit peut-etre pas la jeune fille mais les projecteurs.
La lumiere n'est pas allumee.
Peer comments on this reference comment:

neutral Sheila Wilson : I don't think it's used in the literal sense here
9 hrs
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