This French expression comes from the sports world, but has gradually spread.
Why do I need to know? Il n’y a picture of Pas?
Because you ask about the score and a French person answers with this phrase, then you will be delighted or disappointed.
What does it mean?
Il n’y a photo of Pas – Photo of eel more or less pronounced -ah Pah – translates precisely as ‘There is no photo’.
The colloquial expression is not very old: it became popular in the 1980s and comes from horse races. Basically it means ‘it is not even close’.
In the context of the horse races, if you cannot say just for the view, who first crossed the finishing line, then you would use a photo to determine the winner, which is where the phrase ‘photo of photos’ comes from.
However, if the result is clear and the winner is obvious, then I would say Il n’y a photo of Pas, or simply Pas Pas Photo.
These days, expression is a way of saying that he has no doubts in his mind when it comes to what he is discussing, as saying ‘without a doubt’.
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In general, it is used in sports contexts, but it could also be said in other situations. For example, if you think a song is undoubtedly better than another, you could say Photo of and Pas, Or if you are making a point on a belief that you feel firmly.
Alternately, you could say Il n’y a Pas de Doute (No doubt).
Use it like that
Pour Moi, il n’y a photo of Pas. Your total soutiens cette politique. – For me, it’s no doubt. Fully support this policy.
And a grass photo! Tupac is a Meilleur Rappeur than Biggie. – It’s not just close! Tupac is a better rapper than Biggie.
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