pied à terre
Definition
Noun (singular, invariable):
A small living space kept for temporary use: "pied-à-terre" refers to a second home or small apartment, typically in a city, used as a convenient place to stay for short periods, often for work or leisure. It is not a primary residence but a practical base.
Origin: Borrowed from French, meaning literally "foot on the ground," suggesting a place to rest one's feet temporarily.
Usage Examples
- (A small apartment used only when visiting the city.)
- (A compact second home for occasional stays.)
- (A temporary residence for work purposes.)
Advanced Usage
"to have a pied-à-terre": to own or rent a small secondary dwelling.
- Many wealthy families have a pied-à-terre in the capital. (They keep a small apartment there for convenience.)
"a pied-à-terre lifestyle": a way of living that involves maintaining multiple small homes for flexibility.
- His pied-à-terre lifestyle allows him to work in several cities. (He uses small apartments in different locations.)
Variants and Related Words
- Pieds-à-terre (plural form): multiple such dwellings.
- They own pieds-à-terre in three different countries. (They have several small temporary homes.)
Synonyms
- Flat: a set of rooms forming a residence, often used interchangeably for a small apartment.
- Apartment: a self-contained housing unit, typically in a building.
- Second home: a property used as an occasional residence.
- Crash pad: informal term for a place to sleep temporarily.
Related Idioms
"To put down roots": to establish a permanent home (opposite of a pied-à-terre).
- Unlike a pied-à-terre, a family house is where you put down roots. (A permanent residence vs. a temporary one.)
"A home away from home": a place where one feels as comfortable as in one's own home.
- Her pied-à-terre is a home away from home in the city. (It provides comfort and convenience.)