une idée reçue

Another expression that is difficult to translate is "une idée reçue".

This expression has different aspects:

1) First of all it means that a lot of people have this idea

2) It indicates that people have not really thought about it and that they think it is true because everybody says it.

3) The idea is generally wrong.


There is no English expression that accurately expresses all that.

Possible translations would be:

"It is commonly thought that....."

"It is a common misconception that...."