Foreign-origin Words and Phrases

In the sentence, 'Realizing he had called his teacher by her first name was an embarrassing faux pas,' what does the phrase faux pas mean?

• A social blunder or mistake

• A clever and witty joke

• A secret plan or mission

• A lucky and fortunate guess

Answer explanation

A faux pas is a French phrase that literally means 'false step.' It refers to a significant or embarrassing error in social etiquette or judgment. The other options describe different, unrelated actions.

Match each foreign phrase to its correct English meaning.

• To a sickening or excessive degree

• Bona fide

• Genuine; in good faith

• Ad nauseam

• Seize the day

• Carpe diem

Answer explanation

Each phrase is matched to its direct translation or meaning. Carpe diem is Latin for 'seize the day.' Bona fide is Latin for 'in good faith,' meaning genuine. Ad nauseam is Latin for repeating something until it becomes sickening.

In which of these situations would it be most appropriate to say bon voyage to someone?

• When they are about to leave for a trip to another country.

• When they have just finished a very difficult exam.

• When they win the final level of a challenging video game.

• When they are getting ready to go to sleep for the night.

Answer explanation

Bon voyage is a French phrase used to wish someone a good trip or journey. It is most fitting when someone is departing for travel, especially a long or significant trip.

Sort these foreign-origin phrases based on the context in which they are most commonly used.

Groups:

(a) Social Contexts

,

(b) Legal or Formal Contexts

• de facto

• faux pas

• RSVP

• pro bono

Answer explanation

RSVP (from the French 'Répondez s'il vous plaît') is used on invitations, and faux pas (French for 'false step') describes a social blunder. Both are used in social contexts. De facto (Latin for 'in fact') and pro bono (Latin for 'for the public good') are terms primarily used in formal legal, political, or professional situations.

The director gave the art team carte blanche to design the movie poster, trusting their creative vision completely. What does carte blanche mean here?

• A very strict and limited budget

• A specific set of detailed instructions

• Complete freedom to act as one wishes

• A final warning before being fired

Answer explanation

Carte blanche is French for 'blank paper,' and it means having full freedom and authority to act without restrictions. The context shows the team was trusted with complete creative control.

Match each foreign phrase to its closest English equivalent.

• One's old school or university

• Verbatim

• In reality or in effect

• De facto

• In a large group

• En masse

• Word for word

• Alma mater

Answer explanation

These phrases have common English equivalents. Verbatim means word for word, en masse means as a group, de facto means in effect or in reality, and alma mater refers to one's former school.

Which of the following best defines the phrase nom de plume?

• The main character in a story

• A pen name used by an author

• A famous literary prize

• The first draft of a novel

Answer explanation

Nom de plume is French for 'pen name.' It is a pseudonym, or fictitious name, adopted by an author. For example, Mark Twain was the nom de plume of Samuel Clemens.

If you wanted to tell a friend that you copied a long, boring speech exactly as it was spoken, which phrase would you use?

• "I copied the speech pro bono."

• "I copied the speech verbatim."

• "I copied the speech status quo."

• "I copied the speech faux pas."

Answer explanation

Verbatim is a Latin adverb meaning 'in exactly the same words.' It is the correct choice to describe copying something word for word. The other phrases have unrelated meanings.

Sort these common phrases by their language of origin: French or Latin.

Groups:

(a) French

,

(b) Latin

• RSVP

• verbatim

• faux pas

• carte blanche

• ad nauseam

• bona fide

Answer explanation

The phrases are sorted by their original language. Carte blanche, RSVP, and faux pas are from French. Bona fide, ad nauseam, and verbatim are from Latin.

Match each phrase to the sentence it best completes.

• She handled the awkward silence with great _______, smoothly changing the topic.

• déjà vu

• Our house is at the end of a quiet _______, so we don't get much traffic.

• cul-de-sac

• Walking into the old house gave me a strange sense of _______, as if I'd been there before.

• savoir faire

Answer explanation

Each phrase fits its sentence's context. Déjà vu is the feeling of having already experienced something. A cul-de-sac is a dead-end street. Savoir faire is the ability to act appropriately in social situations.