faire table rase

French

Etymology

From table rase.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fɛʁ ta.blə ʁaz/

• Audio

  (file)

Verb

faire table rase

1. to start again from scratch, to start again with a clean slate
   • 1871, “L'Internationale”, Eugène Pottier (lyrics), Pierre De Geyter (music):

     Du passé faisons table rase / Foule esclave, debout ! debout ! / Le monde va changer de base : / Nous ne sommes rien, soyons tout !

     Of the past let us wipe the slate clean / Masses, slaves, arise, arise / The world is about to change its foundation / We are nothing, let us be all