7/22/2024 Tirer les vers du nez

"Tirer les vers du nez" is a French expression that literally translates to "pulling worms out of the nose." Figuratively, it means to extract information or get someone to reveal secrets through persistent questioning or interrogation. This humorous idiom likely originated from the idea of delicately coaxing worms out of a person's nose, which is an absurd and exaggerated image, adding a touch of whimsy to the act of extracting information. It reflects the French penchant for colorful and imaginative expressions in language.