Cameroon· medium
manger l'argent
“to eat the money”
Meaning
To embezzle funds
Explanation
Describes corruption where a person in a position of trust appropriates money for personal benefit rather than its intended purpose.
Example
On dit de lui qu'il a mangé la caisse de l'association sans rendre compte à personne.
They say he embezzled the association's funds without being accountable to anyone.
Origin
The 'eating' metaphor for corruption is widespread in African French. Variations include 'bouffer' (devour), 'croquer' (crunch), and 'mangeoire' (feeding trough) for a cushy position.
Where
Cameroon
Niger
Senegal
Benin
Source
More like this
- avoir du bléto have money
- être né pour un petit painTo be resigned to a life of modest means
- manger de la vache enragéeto endure a long period of hardship
- avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurreto want two incompatible things at once
- mettre du beurre dans les épinardsto improve one's financial situation
- mouiller la barbe de quelqu'unTo bribe someone