dormir à poings fermés (to sleep like a log, lit. 'with closed fists')
Grammar & Usage
How it works
This expression consists of the verb 'dormir' followed by the adverbial prepositional phrase 'à poings fermés' (literally 'with closed fists'). The verb 'dormir' conjugates normally according to the subject and tense, while the complement 'à poings fermés' remains invariable. It functions adverbially to modify the verb, describing a deep, undisturbed sleep.
Sample sentences
Après cette longue randonnée en montagne, les enfants dorment à poings fermés.
After that long mountain hike, the children are sleeping like logs.
Le bébé s'est enfin calmé et dort maintenant à poings fermés dans son berceau.
The baby finally calmed down and is now sleeping soundly in his crib.
Même avec l'orage qui grondait dehors, j'ai dormi à poings fermés toute la nuit.
Even with the storm rumbling outside, I slept like a rock all night.
Quick facts
Mnemonic
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Example
Après cette longue randonnée en montagne, les enfants dorment à poings fermés.
After that long mountain hike, the children are sleeping like logs.
Le bébé s'est enfin calmé et dort maintenant à poings fermés dans son berceau.
The baby finally calmed down and is now sleeping soundly in his crib.
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