de trop
Definition
- Adjective (predicative only):
- Unwanted or superfluous: "de trop" describes someone or something that is considered excessive, unnecessary, or out of place in a given social situation.
Usage Examples
- (Her talking was unwanted and out of place.)
- (He felt superfluous or unwelcome.)
- (The decorations were excessive and unnecessary.)
Advanced Usage
"to be de trop": to be considered an unwelcome or awkward presence.
- After the argument, his apologies seemed de trop. (His apologies were no longer needed or appropriate.)
"to find someone de trop": to regard someone as an unwanted intruder.
- The host found the uninvited guest de trop and asked him to leave. (The host considered the guest superfluous and unwelcome.)
Variants and Related Words
- Trop (adverb, French borrowing): too much, excessively (used in phrases like "trop de" meaning "too much of").
- There was trop de noise in the room. (There was too much noise.)
Synonyms
- Superfluous: more than is needed; unnecessary.
- Unwanted: not desired or welcome.
- Excess: an amount that is more than necessary.
- Out of place: not fitting in a particular situation.
Related Idioms
A fifth wheel: someone or something that is unnecessary or unwanted.
- He felt like a fifth wheel at the party. (He felt de trop.)
A spare part: a person who is not needed or is surplus.
- She was treated like a spare part in the meeting. (She felt de trop.)
Etymology Note
"De trop" is a French loan phrase that literally means "of too much" or "excessive." It entered English in the 18th century and is used primarily in formal or literary contexts.