Francophonie· medium· informal
prendre des vessies pour des lanternes
“to take bladders for lanterns”
Meaning
to be seriously mistaken about something
Explanation
You've mistaken something worthless for something valuable, and ended up believing something absurd.
Example
Il a cru cette rumeur invraisemblable, il prend vraiment des vessies pour des lanternes.
He believed that far-fetched rumour, he really will swallow anything.
Origin
Bladders from pigs or oxen were once dried out and used as containers, sometimes fitted with a candle inside to serve as a makeshift lantern. The mix-up between the real thing and a hollow fake became a byword for being badly deceived.
Source
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