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

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

"Il m'est mout grant honneur en la paix que je foiz au Roy d'Angleterre pour ce qu'il est mon home, ce que n'estoit pas devant."

From The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Yule, Henry

Je poussai mon cheval quelques pas devant le sien; j'etois eurieux de l'observer dans un pareil moment.

From Travels in France during the years 1814-15 Comprising a residence at Paris, during the stay of the allied armies, and at Aix, at the period of the landing of Bonaparte, in two volumes. by Alison, Archibald, Sir