Is this usage of revenir an idiom?

Vimal R.C1Kwiziq community member

Is this usage of revenir an idiom?

Elle n'en revenait pas! I thought revenir is to come back so this phrasing confused me till I used Google translate to realize it meant, She couldn't believe it. 
Asked 1 year ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Yes, ‘n’en pas revenir ‘ is a fixed expression to indicate extreme surprise.

 https://www.wordreference.com/fren/ne%20pas%20en%20revenir

 https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/revenir/69087#locution

 

 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Think of the English phrase "to have no comeback to something."

Brian E.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Following on from Maarten’s link to WordReference. I find this free dictionary app great for listing phrases. If the literal translation isn’t making sense, it may well be a phrase, in which case WR will usually have the explanation (in my experience).

Is this usage of revenir an idiom?

Elle n'en revenait pas! I thought revenir is to come back so this phrasing confused me till I used Google translate to realize it meant, She couldn't believe it. 

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