Where do the expressions around the word wine come from?

6 Expressions About Wine

(Re)discover everyday expressions related to wine and their origins.

1) To Bribe

The most well-known and commonly used expression today! It means giving money in exchange for an illegal service. This phrase is found in all domains and is easily understood by everyone. But where does it come from? Its origins date back to the Middle Ages and referred to money given to a third party to buy drinks or directly to a pot of wine. Over time, this expression evolved to acquire the more pejorative meaning we know today.

2) To Water Down One's Wine

As you might know, the expression "to water down one's wine" means to moderate one’s statements, reactions, or ambitions to return to more realistic aspirations. In other words, it means showing wisdom. This expression is attributed to ancient Greek philosophers who would dilute their wine with water to delay intoxication. This practice is said to originate from Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. Even the gods knew their limits!

3) To Be Between Two Wines

If you are familiar with the expression "to be between two stools," understanding "to be between two wines" will be easy. This term refers to the slight sensation of intoxication that arises from consuming alcohol. Although its origins remain uncertain, this figure of speech entered common usage in the early 20th century, with the Académie Française including it in the dictionary as early as the 1930s.

4) To Sleep Off One's Wine

Who hasn’t ended up in bed feeling dizzy from too much drinking? If it happens again, you can say you have "slept off your wine," or, in other words, that you fell asleep in a state of inebriation! Originally, the term comes from the expression "to sleep off one’s anger," meaning to calm down and gain perspective. The word "anger" was substituted with "wine," referring to the time needed for wine to mature when stored in a vat.

5) When the Wine Is Drawn, It Must Be Drunk!

A bit less common than the previous four expressions, this proverb has been repeated numerous times by writers, including poet Jean-Antoine de Baïf in his 1576 collection Les Mimes Enseignements et Proverbes. Literally, it means that once the wine is in the glass, it should be drunk. It also conveys that once something is done, you should not go back. Although its chronological origins are uncertain, its etymology refers to the verb "to draw," used in viticulture jargon when bottling or decanting wine.

6) To Drink the Cup to the Dregs

A bit old-fashioned, this metaphor still effectively illustrates going through an unpleasant experience to the end. Appearing in the 17th century, this expression refers to a religious ceremony in which wine was drunk from a chalice (a very wide cup). The ritual required drinking the wine (considered the blood of Christ) to the last drop, so as not to waste any of the precious nectar. This included drinking the gritty sediment at the bottom of the bottle: the dregs. Additionally, "chalice" also refers to "God's wrath," so facing it was akin to undergoing a severe trial.

FAQ - Wine expressions

Where does the expression "pot-de-vin" (bribe) come from?

In the Middle Ages, a "pot-de-vin" was money given to a third party to buy a drink, or literally a pot filled with wine. Over time the meaning shifted to the money paid in exchange for an illegal favour that we know today.

What does "to water down one's wine" mean?

It means toning down your words, reactions or ambitions to return to more realistic expectations. It is attributed to the ancient Greek philosophers, who diluted their wine with water to delay drunkenness, a practice linked to Dionysus.

Why do the French say "cuver son vin" (to sleep off one's wine)?

The expression describes sleeping until intoxication fades. It comes from "cuver sa colère" (to sleep off one's anger), with "anger" replaced by "wine," a nod to the rest wine needs in the vat to reach maturity.

Who popularised "quand le vin est tiré, il faut le boire"?

This proverb was used by many writers, including the poet Jean-Antoine de Baïf in his 1576 collection Les mimes, enseignements et proverbes. The verb "tirer" (to draw) comes from winemaking, when wine is bottled or decanted.

What does "boire le calice jusqu'à la lie" mean?

It means going through an unpleasant experience to the very end. Dating from the 17th century, it refers to a religious ceremony where wine was drunk to the last drop, including the lees, the gritty sediment at the bottom of the bottle.