Canada· easy· informal
parler à travers son chapeau
“to talk through one's hat”
Meaning
to speak confidently about something you don't understand
Explanation
Someone parlant à travers son chapeau is holding forth on a subject they barely understand, bluffing rather than admitting they don't know.
Example
Il parle à travers son chapeau, il n'a jamais mis les pieds dans cette usine.
He's talking nonsense, he's never set foot in that factory.
Origin
It's a direct translation of the English 'to talk through one's hat', carried over into Quebec French with the same meaning.
Where
Quebec
Source
More like this
- à la mitainedone by hand rather than with machines
- attacher sa tuqueto brace yourself, something intense is about to happen
- avoir de l’eau dans la caveto be wearing trousers that are too short
- habillé comme la chienne à Jacquesto be very badly dressed
- retourner sa vesteto switch sides for personal gain
- se serrer la ceintureto cut back on spending and live frugally