Home UK English esprit de l'escalier

Meaning of esprit de l'escalier in English:

esprit de l'escalier

noun

mass noun

  • Used to refer to the fact that a witty remark or retort often comes to mind after the opportunity to make it has passed.

    ‘I am frequently afflicted with esprit de l'escalier.’
    • ‘Now if I'd managed to say all that off the cuff then I would be a genius comedian, but as it was I had to make do with experiencing esprit de l'escalier on the way home.’

Pronunciation

esprit de l'escalier

/ɛˌspriː də lɛˈskaljeɪ/ /ɛspʀi də lɛskalje/

Origin

French, literally ‘wit of the staircase’ (i.e. a witty remark coming to mind on the stairs leading away from a gathering).