C'est une excuse à deux balles.

Sentence Discussions French
#1
English Translation

That’s a lousy excuse.

what does this potentially idiomatic expression mean? is it vulgar?

#2

Balle apparently is another word for a franc. The phrase à deux balles roughly translates as inexpensive, or in this case “next to worthless”.

You can read more here.

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#3

It’s informal but I wouldn’t say it’s vulgar.

#4

Thanks. Balls in English is slang for testicles, which apparently this is not.

#5

To clear up any doubt the french equivalent for testicles is:

boules, couilles, testicules (Familier, Vulgaire)

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