pas devant

American  

[pah duh-vahn] / pɑ dəˈvɑ̃ /

interjection

1. French. not in front (of): used to suggest or warn that discretion is needed in the presence of children or other people.

   There are so many jokes that could be told, but this is a family event, so pas devant!

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Etymology

Origin of pas devant

First recorded in 1950–1955; from French pas “not” (short for ne...pas, literally “not a step”; cf. pace ¹ ( def. )) + devant “in front (of),” compound of de de ( def. ) and avant “before” ( see avant-garde ( def. ))

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pas devant

Cracked a foreign diplomat in expectant Washington: "Us ne passeront pas devant le maire* but there will be a common-law marriage."

From Time Magazine Archive