savoir-faire

Related to savoir-faire: savoir-vivre

savoir-faire

The ability to act appropriately or handle or respond to any social situation; tact. The phrase is French for "to know how to do." You could learn a lot about how to deal with people by studying the savoir-faire with which she moves around any room.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

savoir ˈfaire

(from French, approving) the ability to behave in the appropriate way in certain situations: He was renowned throughout the diplomatic world for his savoir faire.
The meaning of the French phrase is ‘know how to do’.
See also: faire, savoir
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • savoir
  • savoir faire
  • raised in a barn
  • but for the grace of God
  • (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
  • a penny for them
  • great minds
  • great minds think alike
  • get thee behind me
  • be twiddling (one's) thumbs
References in periodicals archive
les pratiques, representations, expressions, connaissances et savoir-faire (je souligne)--ainsi que les instruments, objets, artefacts et espaces culturels qui leur sont associes--que les communautes, les groupes et, le cas echeant, les individus reconnaissent comme faisant partie de leur patrimoine culturel (UNESCO, 2003: 2).
"We're thrilled to partner with such a rapidly growing company as BonitaSoft," said Sven Werlen, Director of Enterprise Solutions at Savoir-faire Linux.
I have given the name "worldliness" to this voice, by which I do not mean the jaded savoir-faire of the man about town, but rather a knowing and unafraid attitude towards exploring the world we live in.
The books are divided into different sections: a section which provides a detailed overview of the themes and information provided in the alphabetical entries; the Alphabetical Guide list, in alphabetical order, everything a person needs to know about the world of tea or coffee including detailed discussions of all major varieties of tea and coffee, historical information, and essential savoir-faire for connoisseurs; In the Little Book of Tea, the Connoisseur's Guide section describes which teas can be found in specific places in the world and what they are used for; and the Infusion Chart is for those who are willing to take on the delicate task of infusing their own tea.
The corporates ensure that the companies that service them are aware of the dangers and more likely to be ready, and the smaller firms themselves acquire the multinationals' millennial savoir-faire and avoid the same mistakes.
Unfortunately, even if such reforms are put in place, too many people lack the savoir-faire, sophisticated tastes, and cultural awareness needed to make them competitive either in their personal or professional lives.
Maria DiBattista's essay on Charlotte Bronte's savoir-faire brings to the forefront a woman's predicament of being part of a home, yet detached from it in the role of the governess.
The same savoir-faire dissed the reader with Sally Jessy spelled Sally Jesse.
Il a prUu[c]cisUu[c] qu'il y aura des Uu[c]quipes techniques qui "vont discuter de ce qui pourra se faire dans un cadre de partenariat entre les entreprises nationales disposant du savoir-faire en matiUuA re de technologie pharmaceutique et les Uu[c]quipes cubaines", soulignant que les Cubains "ont Uu[c]galement le savoir-faire, notamment dans la biotechnologie, et possUuA dent des Uu[c]quipes techniques qui vont nous donner des conclusions sur les projets qui vont Uuo"tre mis en place".
Pour ce styliste, surnomme [beaucoup moins que]le Prince du desert[beaucoup plus grand que], le FIMA est une maniere de rassembler les peuples et de montrer que l'Afrique a un savoir-faire qui doit appartenir aux africains, notant que le Maroc, en organisant ce grand forum a Dakhla, [beaucoup moins que]offre une chance aux africains, parce que c'est la paix qui va s'installer reellement si on s'entend, on cree de la richesse, et si on travaille la main dans la main[beaucoup plus grand que].
Enriching the Jeddah art scene, Van Cleef & Arpels presented an exhibition illustrating the craftsmanship and savoir-faire of the master jeweler - In Praise of Hands - at the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in Jameel Square on Tahlia Street, Jeddah.
Ces centres auront notamment pour mission de creer et de developper un environnement qui favorise la croissance, la mise en reseau et l'echange de savoir-faire entrepreneurial pour les PME dans la region euro-mediterraneenne.