excusez du peu

À vingt ans, elle dirige déjà l'orchestre : excusez du peu.
At twenty she already conducts the orchestra: quite something.
Elle a vendu trois romans en un mois, excusez du peu !
She sold three novels in a month, no small feat!
Il réclame une voiture de fonction et un bureau privé, excusez du peu.
He is demanding a company car and a private office, if you please.
Le projet coûtera deux millions, excusez du peu !
The project will cost two million, nothing less!
On lui a offert cinq postes à la fois, excusez du peu !
He was offered five jobs at once, no less!

Similar words

pas moins

rien que ça

Elle a vendu trois romans en un mois, excusez du peu !
She sold three novels in a month, no small feat!
Il réclame une voiture de fonction et un bureau privé, excusez du peu.
He is demanding a company car and a private office, if you please.
Le projet coûtera deux millions, excusez du peu !
The project will cost two million, nothing less!
À vingt ans, elle dirige déjà l'orchestre : excusez du peu.
At twenty she already conducts the orchestra: quite something.
On lui a offert cinq postes à la fois, excusez du peu !
He was offered five jobs at once, no less!

rien que ça

pas moins

Literally “forgive how little it is”; peu (“little”) is ironic because the amount or achievement is actually considerable.

What does excusez du peu mean?

“No less” or “quite something”, often with irony.

Is it a real apology?

No, it highlights something notably large or impressive.

Can it express admiration?

Yes, admiration or amused disbelief.

Can it criticize someone's demands?

Yes, when the demand seems excessive.

What is ironic about peu?

It means “little”, though the thing described is substantial.

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.

No comments yet. Be the first to add one.

Look up word or phrase...