cherche la femme

This isn't the normal spelling its "Cherchez" but I didn't want the sole definition under this spelling to stand uncorrected. It literally means seek (or look) for the woman. The phrase is outdated and rare in modern text. It was not normally used to blame all problems on women, but rather to say that when a man has done something odd, or otherwise unaccountable, perhaps even committed a crime when he was not previously a criminal - then "look for the woman" There was a woman involved. Not that she was necessarily to blame, but that the man had acted because of her in some way. The idea was that men are often rash and fools where women are concerned.

Why would Bill have left work and gotten drunk in the middle of the day like that? It's just not like him. "Cherche la femme, my friend"

cherche la femme by NotNoahWebster January 17, 2019

cherche la femme

While literally this translates to "find the woman", it refers to the underlying (and yes, sexist) assumption that behind every problem, there is a woman who caused it.

The entire computer network is down! - Ah, cherche la femme.

cherche la femme by Peti December 15, 2008

cherchez la femme 

Literally translates to "find the woman". Used facetiously to suggest that when a man does something stupid, a woman was probably involved. This is not to indicate that it's the woman's fault, but that the man is trying to garner a woman's favour, or to cover up his infidelity.

Did you hear? All of a sudden Bill says he's morally opposed to porn.
Yeah right. Cherchez la femme.
Yeah, I think he's trying to impress the girl at Starbucks.

cherchez la femme by Skorpion April 20, 2010