Canada· hard· informal
être dans les patates
“to be in the potatoes”
Meaning
to be completely wrong about something
Explanation
Quebec slang for getting it flat out wrong, on a test, in an argument, wherever. In France, people would more likely say 'être à côté de la plaque'.
Example
Si tu penses que la réunion est demain, tu es dans les patates.
If you think the meeting is tomorrow, you're completely wrong.
Origin
Origin uncertain. One theory, offered cautiously rather than as settled fact, pictures a car veering off course and ending up in a field of potatoes.
Where
Quebec
More like this
- ambitionner sur le pain béniTo push your luck too far
- avoir les yeux dans la graisse de binesTo be half asleep
- éplucher des vieux légumesto keep bringing up old grudges
- le diable bat sa femme pour avoir des crêpesit's raining while the sun is shining
- avoir des croûtes à mangerto still have a lot to learn
- être dans le justo be completely overwhelmed with work