tambour battant

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French[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Literally, beating [the] drum, with the positioning of the present participle after its complement which was frequent in Old French[1] (the modern French equivalent would be battant tambour). Compare chemin faisant, Belle au bois dormant.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /tɑ̃.buʁ ba.tɑ̃/

Adverb[edit]

tambour battant

  1. (figuratively) eagerly
  2. (figuratively) promptly, briskly, energetically
    Synonym: rondement
    mener une affaire tambour battant, mener une affaire rondement(please add an English translation of this usage example)

Usage notes[edit]

  • Chiefly used with the verb mener.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Léopold Constans (1890) Chrestomathie de l'ancien français (IXe-XVe siècles)[1] (in French), page 15