French Expression of the Week
To a French learner, it can seem like there are new French expressions lurking everywhere you turn, just waiting to trip you up. Some expressions are relatively easy to figure out, but others are figurative or idiomatic, which makes things a lot harder. In this weekly feature, I discuss French expressions that defy comprehension at first glance.
Appeler sous les drapeaux
What does the idiomatic French expression appeler sous les drapeaux mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression appeler sous les drapeaux mean and how is it used?
French Expression of the Week Quiz
See how well you know your French expressions.
See how well you know your French expressions.
À la limite
What does the idiomatic French expression à la limite mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression à la limite mean and how is it used?
À la rentrée
What does the idiomatic French expression à la rentrée mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression à la rentrée mean and how is it used?
À la une
What does the French expression à la une mean and how is it used?
What does the French expression à la une mean and how is it used?
À l'étage
What does the French expression à l'étage mean and how is it used?
What does the French expression à l'étage mean and how is it used?
À poil
What does the idiomatic French expression à poil mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression à poil mean and how is it used?
Un ange passe
What does the idiomatic French expression un ange passe mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression un ange passe mean and how is it used?
Appeler un chat un chat
What does the idiomatic French expression appeler un chat un chat mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression appeler un chat un chat mean and how is it used?
Arriver comme un cheveu sur la soupe
What does the idiomatic French expression arriver comme un cheveu sur la soupe mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression arriver comme un cheveu sur la soupe mean and how is it used?
Attacher lundi avec mardi
What does the idiomatic French expression attacher lundi avec mardi mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression attacher lundi avec mardi mean and how is it used?
Avantages et inconvénients
What does the idiomatic French expression les avantages et les inconvénients mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression les avantages et les inconvénients mean and how is it used?
Avoir du chien
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir du chien mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir du chien mean and how is it used?
Avoir du pain sur la planche
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir du pain sur la planche mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir du pain sur la planche mean and how is it used?
Avoir le cafard
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir le cafard mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir le cafard mean and how is it used?
Avoir les chevilles qui enflent
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir les chevilles qui enflent mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir les chevilles qui enflent mean and how is it used?
Avoir un chat dans la gorge
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir un chat dans la gorge mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir un chat dans la gorge mean and how is it used?
Avoir un cheveu sur la langue
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir un cheveu sur la langue mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir un cheveu sur la langue mean and how is it used?
Avoir un petit creux
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir un petit creux mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir un petit creux mean and how is it used?
Avoir un poil dans la main
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir un poil dans la main mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir un poil dans la main mean and how is it used?
Avoir une dent contre quelqu'un
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir une dent contre quelqu'un mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression avoir une dent contre quelqu'un mean and how is it used?
Bien dans sa peau
What does the idiomatic French expression bien dans sa peau mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression bien dans sa peau mean and how is it used?
C'est cadeau
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est cadeau mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est cadeau mean and how is it used?
C'est dans la poche
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est dans la poche mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est dans la poche mean and how is it used?
C'est le pied
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est le pied mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est le pied mean and how is it used?
C'est parti
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est parti mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est parti mean and how is it used?
C'est pas de la tarte
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est pas de la tarte mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est pas de la tarte mean and how is it used?
C'est pas tes oignons
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est pas tes oignons mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression c'est pas tes oignons mean and how is it used?
Casser les pieds
What does the idiomatic French expression casser les pieds mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression casser les pieds mean and how is it used?
Ce n'est pas mardi gras aujourd'hui
What does the idiomatic French expression ce n'est pas mardi gras aujourd'hui mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression ce n'est pas mardi gras aujourd'hui mean and how is it used?
Ce n'est pas terrible
What does the idiomatic French expression ce n'est pas terrible mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression ce n'est pas terrible mean and how is it used?
Changer de cap
What does the idiomatic French expression changer de cap mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression changer de cap mean and how is it used?
Chanter comme une casserole
What does the idiomatic French expression chanter comme une casserole mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression chanter comme une casserole mean and how is it used?
Le chassé-croisé des juillettistes et des aoûtiens
What does the French expression le chassé-croisé des juillettistes et des aoûtiens mean and how is it used?
What does the French expression le chassé-croisé des juillettistes et des aoûtiens mean and how is it used?
Chercher des poux dans la tête
What does the idiomatic French expression chercher des poux dans la tête à quelqu'un mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression chercher des poux dans la tête à quelqu'un mean and how is it used?
Chercher midi à quatorze heures
What does the idiomatic French expression chercher midi à quatorze heures mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression chercher midi à quatorze heures mean and how is it used?
Connaître la musique
What does the idiomatic French expression connaître la musique mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression connaître la musique mean and how is it used?
Découvrir le pot aux roses
What does the idiomatic French expression découvrir le pot aux roses mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression découvrir le pot aux roses mean and how is it used?
Donner sa langue au chat
What does the idiomatic French expression donner sa langue au chat mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression donner sa langue au chat mean and how is it used?
Dormir sur ses deux oreilles
What does the idiomatic French expression dormir sur ses deux oreilles mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression dormir sur ses deux oreilles mean and how is it used?
Dire ses quatre vérités
What does the idiomatic French expression dire ses quatre vérités mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression dire ses quatre vérités mean and how is it used?
Du jour au lendemain
What does the idiomatic French expression du jour au lendemain mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression du jour au lendemain mean and how is it used?
Envoyer sur les roses
What does the idiomatic French expression envoyer sur les roses mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression envoyer sur les roses mean and how is it used?
Être à côté de la plaque
What does the idiomatic French expression être à côté de la plaque mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression être à côté de la plaque mean and how is it used?
Être en train de
What does the idiomatic French expression être en train de mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression être en train de mean and how is it used?
Faire cadeau
What does the idiomatic French expression faire cadeau mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression faire cadeau mean and how is it used?
Faire du lard
What does the idiomatic French expression faire du lard mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression faire du lard mean and how is it used?
Faire le pont
What does the idiomatic French expression faire le pont mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression faire le pont mean and how is it used?
Faire les quatre cents coups
What does the idiomatic French expression faire les quatre cents coups mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression faire les quatre cents coups mean and how is it used?
Faire un demi-tour
What do the French expressions faire un demi-tour and faire demi-tour mean and how are they used?
What do the French expressions faire un demi-tour and faire demi-tour mean and how are they used?
Faire un temps de Toussaint
What does the idiomatic French expression faire un temps de Toussaint mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression faire un temps de Toussaint mean and how is it used?
Faire une croix dessus
What does the idiomatic French expression faire une croix dessus mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression faire une croix dessus mean and how is it used?
Fais gaffe
What does the idiomatic French expression fais gaffe mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression fais gaffe mean and how is it used?
Figure-toi
What does the idiomatic French expression figure-toi mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression figure-toi mean and how is it used?
Heureux au jeu, malheureux en amour
What does the idiomatic French expression heureux au jeu, malheureux en amour mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression heureux au jeu, malheureux en amour mean and how is it used?
Il ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard
What does the idiomatic French expression il ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression il ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard mean and how is it used?
Il pleut des cordes
What does the idiomatic French expression il pleut des cordes mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression il pleut des cordes mean and how is it used?
Il y a quelque chose qui cloche
What does the idiomatic French expression il y a quelque chose qui cloche mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression il y a quelque chose qui cloche mean and how is it used?
Impossible n'est pas français
What does the French proverb impossible n'est pas français mean and how is it used?
What does the French proverb impossible n'est pas français mean and how is it used?
J'en ai ras le bol
What does the idiomatic French expression j'en ai ras le bol mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression j'en ai ras le bol mean and how is it used?
Je n'en reviens pas
What does the idiomatic French expression je n'en reviens pas mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression je n'en reviens pas mean and how is it used?
Je n'y suis pour rien
What does the idiomatic French expression je n'y suis pour rien mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression je n'y suis pour rien mean and how is it used?
Jeter la pierre
What does the idiomatic French expression jeter la pierre mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression jeter la pierre mean and how is it used?
Les chiens ne font pas des chats
What does the idiomatic French expression les chiens ne font pas des chats mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression les chiens ne font pas des chats mean and how is it used?
Manger le morceau
What does the idiomatic French expression manger le morceau mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression manger le morceau mean and how is it used?
Manquer d'air - Tu ne manques pas d'air
What does the idiomatic French expression tu ne manques pas d'air mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression tu ne manques pas d'air mean and how is it used?
Meilleurs vœux
What does the idiomatic French expression meilleurs vœux mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression meilleurs vœux mean and how is it used?
Mettre de l'eau dans son vin
What does the idiomatic French expression mettre de l'eau dans son vin mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression mettre de l'eau dans son vin mean and how is it used?
Mettre le doigt
What does mettre le doigt mean in various French rexpressions?
What does mettre le doigt mean in various French rexpressions?
Mettre les pieds dans le plat
What does the idiomatic French expression mettre les pieds dans le plat mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression mettre les pieds dans le plat mean and how is it used?
Mettre sa langue dans sa poche
What does the idiomatic French expression mettre sa langue dans sa poche mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression mettre sa langue dans sa poche mean and how is it used?
Mon œil !
What does the idiomatic French expression mon œil ! mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression mon œil ! mean and how is it used?
Monter quelque chose en épingle
What does the idiomatic French expression monter quelque chose en épingle mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression monter quelque chose en épingle mean and how is it used?
Métro, boulot, dodo
What does the idiomatic French expression métro, boulot, dodo mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression métro, boulot, dodo mean and how is it used?
N'importe quoi
What does the idiomatic French expression n'importe quoi mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression n'importe quoi mean and how is it used?
On peut se tutoyer ?
What does the French expression on peut se tutoyer mean and how is it used?
What does the French expression on peut se tutoyer mean and how is it used?
Parler le français comme une vache espagnole
What does the idiomatic French expression parler le français comme une vache espagnole mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression parler le français comme une vache espagnole mean and how is it used?
Passer à l'heure d'été
What does the idiomatic French expression passer à l'heure d'été mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression passer à l'heure d'été mean and how is it used?
Passer à l'heure d'hiver
What does the idiomatic French expression passer à l'heure d'hiver mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression passer à l'heure d'hiver mean and how is it used?
Passer du coq à l'âne
What does the idiomatic French expression passer du coq à l'âne mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression passer du coq à l'âne mean and how is it used?
Péter les plombs
What does the idiomatic French expression péter les plombs mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression péter les plombs mean and how is it used?
Pédaler dans la choucroute
What does the idiomatic French expression pédaler dans la choucroute mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression pédaler dans la choucroute mean and how is it used?
Pour et contre
What does the idiomatic French expression pour et contre mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression pour et contre mean and how is it used?
Prendre l'eau
What does the idiomatic French expression prendre l'eau mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression prendre l'eau mean and how is it used?
Quand même
What does the idiomatic French expression quand même mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression quand même mean and how is it used?
Quand on parle du loup
What does the idiomatic French expression quand on parle du loup mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression quand on parle du loup mean and how is it used?
Quatre à quatre
What does the idiomatic French expression quatre à quatre mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression quatre à quatre mean and how is it used?
Que dalle !
What does the idiomatic French expression que dalle mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression que dalle mean and how is it used?
Quelle mouche t'a piqué ?
What does the idiomatic French expression quelle mouche t'a piqué ? mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression quelle mouche t'a piqué ? mean and how is it used?
La question ne se pose pas
What does the French expression la question ne se pose pas mean and how is it used?
What does the French expression la question ne se pose pas mean and how is it used?
Raconter des salades
What does the idiomatic French expression raconter des salades mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression raconter des salades mean and how is it used?
Robe des champs
What does the idiomatic French expression robe des champs mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression robe des champs mean and how is it used?
Sauver la mise
What does the idiomatic French expression sauver la mise mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression sauver la mise mean and how is it used?
Se fourrer le doigt dans l'œil
What does the idiomatic French expression se fourrer le doigt dans l'œil mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression se fourrer le doigt dans l'œil mean and how is it used?
Si ce n'est pas indiscret
What does the French expression si ce n'est pas indiscret mean and when is it used?
What does the French expression si ce n'est pas indiscret mean and when is it used?
Si tu veux
What does the idiomatic French expression si tu veux mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression si tu veux mean and how is it used?
Tenir le coup
What does the idiomatic French expression tenir le coup mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression tenir le coup mean and how is it used?
Tirer une carotte
What does the idiomatic French expression tirer une carotte mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression tirer une carotte mean and how is it used?
Tomber dans la marmite
What does the idiomatic French expression tomber dans la marmite mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression tomber dans la marmite mean and how is it used?
Tomber dans le panneau
What does the idiomatic French expression tomber dans le panneau mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression tomber dans le panneau mean and how is it used?
Tomber dans les pommes
What does the idiomatic French expression tomber dans les pommes mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression tomber dans les pommes mean and how is it used?
Tourner sept fois sa langue
What does the idiomatic French expression tourner sept fois sa langue mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression tourner sept fois sa langue mean and how is it used?
Tout ce qui brille n'est pas or
What does the French proverb tout ce qui brille n'est pas or mean and how is it used?
What does the French proverb tout ce qui brille n'est pas or mean and how is it used?
Trempé comme une soupe
What does the idiomatic French expression trempé comme une soupe mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression trempé comme une soupe mean and how is it used?
Trouver son bonheur
What does the idiomatic French expression trouver son bonheur mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression trouver son bonheur mean and how is it used?
Tu m'étonnes
What does the idiomatic French expression tu m'étonnes mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression tu m'étonnes mean and how is it used?
Tu te rends compte
What does the idiomatic French expression tu te rends compte mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression tu te rends compte mean and how is it used?
Un de ces quatre matins
What does the idiomatic French expression un de ces quatre matins mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression un de ces quatre matins mean and how is it used?
Vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué
What does the idiomatic French expression vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué mean and how is it used?
What does the idiomatic French expression vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué mean and how is it used?