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[missdaredevil]

esprit d'escalier (e-SPREE des-kal-i-YE) noun, also esprit de l'escalier

Thinking of a witty remark too late; hindsight wit or afterwit.
Also such a remark.

[From French esprit de l'escalier, from esprit (wit) + escalier (stairs).]

We're all witty. It's just that many of us think of our clever remarks a bit
too late. The French call it the staircase wit, indicating that one thought
of that perfect retort on his or her way out.

(e-SPREE des-kal-i-YE) noun

Thinking of a witty remark too late; hindsight wit or afterwit.
Also such a remark.


We're all witty. It's just that many of us think of our clever remarks a bit
too late. The French call it the staircase wit, indicating that one thought
of that perfect retort on his or her way out.


Could anyone be more specific about the usage?

Thanks

[asterix]

You are in a store and the clerk is rude to you. You feel angry , but say nothing and leave. On the way out of the store you suddenly think of a brilliant rejoinder, but - too late - the moment has passed.
That is l'esprit de l' escalier.