l'esprit de l'escalier
Say it: leh-SPREE duh les-kal-YAY /lɛˌspriː də lɛˈskæljeɪ/ · noun phrase
What “l'esprit de l'escalier” means
Thinking of the perfect reply after the conversation has ended.
More precisely: Thinking of the perfect reply only after the conversation is over.
When to use it
For a witty comeback that arrives too late, usually ruefully or jokingly after an awkward conversation.
Memory trick
French for staircase wit: the clever reply arrives as you're already leaving downstairs.
Similar words
staircase wit, afterwit
Where it comes from
French, 'staircase wit', a phrase from the philosopher Denis Diderot.
Quick check
After leaving an argument, halfway down the stairs, you suddenly think of the perfect comeback. That's…
l'esprit de l'escalier or repartee?
Show the answer
l'esprit de l'escalier
Learn 5 new words a day in Kinquire. Each with a picture, how to say it, an example and a quick check, then spaced review so you actually keep them. Free to start.
Learn “l'esprit de l'escalier”