VOLTE FACE and FAUX PAS

 VOLTE FACE: (italics)

 

Pronunciation:  voalt-faus (‘voa’ as in ‘boat’, ‘faus’ as in ‘fault’ – வோல்ட்-ஃபாஸ்

 

Meaning:

 

Sudden U-turn, complete turnaround or roll-back, complete change of one’s opinion, idea, policy and/or decision – திடீர் திருப்பம், குட்டிகரணம்.

 

 

Example sentences:

 

In the face of widespread opposition from people, the government, in a volte-face withdrew the Act/Law.

 

The volte-face is the third change of policy of the government in just six years.

 

After learning that I wrongly accused someone, I did a volte-face and now I am now friendly with him like before.

 

In 1990, ‘X’ made a very public and dramatic political volte-face switching over from one extreme to the other i.e. from the Left bloc to the Right bloc.

 

FAUX PAS: (italics)

 

Pronunciation:   Foa-paa  –  ஃபோ-பா

 

Meaning:

 

Tactless serious blunder – a socially awkward or improper remark or act - a slip in etiquette, manners or conduct – an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion

 

இழுக்குச்செயல், புகழ் கெடுக்கும் செயல்.

 

Example sentences:

 

Having already burnt his finger, ‘X’ doesn’t want to commit any further faux pas in his profession.

 

If you make any faux pas of manners in tonight’s party, I will get wild with you.

 

Arrogant pride can be a social faux pas but feeling proud is important for a healthy sense of self-esteem.

 

He admitted that his biggest faux pas in his music business was to sideline two of the frontline singers and two composers that brought down his income considerably.

 

The remarks made by the Ambassador were a painful diplomatic faux pas.

 

That is the problem with comedy; a joke that is funny today can be a terrible faux pas tomorrow.

 

Those high-profile failures and faux pas are surprisingly glaring.

 

Proverb:

 

கடைத் தேங்காயை எடுத்து வழிப் பிள்ளையாருக்கு உடை.

Rob Peter and pay Paul.

 

(R.SAMPATH)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FEATHERS OF POSITIVE PHILOSOPHY!

Image
From Sampath’s Desk :     FEATHERS OF POSITIVE PHILOSOPHY!     The concept of ‘philosophy’ used here is about the empirical aspects of life such as - how to find joy and happiness generally and to keep ourselves cool and unperturbed, clothed with feathers of positive philosophy in the face of ordeals and distress. Again, on the one side, it is about feeling self-joy, and on the other, a solace-seeking exercise during trials and tribulations. Some tips have been attempted here.   If you happen to be rich in wealth and affluent, think that God has given you the extra wealth and money for helping others. The best way to find joy and happiness is to make others happy by charity without expecting anything in return much less gratitude. It is only the possessor of wealth who should be actually grateful to God for providing him/her the opportunity to help the needy. It is of course easier said than done, but the real joy lies in giving and in going to the succo...
Read more

THIRUMURUGA KRIPANANDA VARIYAR - திருமுருக கிருபானந்த வாரியார்

Image
  FROM SAMPATH’S DESK:       THIRUMURUGA KRIPANANDA VARIYAR திருமுருக கிருபானந்த வாரியார் (25 August 1906 - 7 November 1993)   THIRUMURUGA KRIPANANDA VARIYAR was born on 25.8.1906 in Kangeyanallur near Vellore, Tamil Nadu.   He sowed divinity in the minds of the common man and words contemplated upon were humorously conveyed by him so as to grip the minds of his audience. He was affectionately and reverently called VARIYAR SWAMIGAL by people.   He had no formal education. However, he was brought up by his father himself at home giving him core divine knowledge and wisdom. Swamigal learned Tamil literature, grammar, and music, especially playing Veena. At age 8 itself, he had to his credit many poems in ‘Venba’ style. By age 12, he learned by heart at least 10000 hymns, mostly devotional numbers.   During my boyhood days in Triplicane, I used to go to his divine and spiritual discourses. Tamil language and devotional hymns...
Read more

KUNNAKKUDI VAIDYANATHAN

Image
  FROM SAMPATH’S DESK:         KUNNAKKUDI VAIDYANATHAN (2 March 1935 - 8 September 2008)     We have seen people dancing to the music of musicians. But here is a music maestro who made the violin dance to his magic. Yes, he was none other than KUNNAKKUDI VAIDYANATHAN Sir, a top-notch violinist.  He plunged into his musical career at the tender age of 12.   There has been a battery of Carnatic musicians in India, especially in the South, who earned name and fame playing the violin - essentially a Western music instrument - either solo or as an accompaniment - with marked success. 1) Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu 2) Dwaram Manga Thayaru   3) L Subramaniam   4) Lalgudi Jayaraman   5) TN Krishnan   6) MS Gopalakrishnan   7) Ganesh and Kumaresh ...
Read more