French Language

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. French Language

Rouler - French Expressions with Rouler

Idiomatic French expressions

By Laura K. Lawless, About.com

The French verb rouler literally means "to roll" and is also used in many idiomatic expressions. Learn how to say we made good time, it's hilarious, how's life?, and more with this list of expressions with rouler.

Possible meanings of rouler
  • to roll
  • to go along (e.g., train, car)
  • to wheel (along)
  • (informal) to con

Expressions with rouler

rouler à 80 km à l'heure
to go 80 km per hour

rouler à gauche/droite
to drive on the left/right

rouler à vive allure
to race along

rouler au pas
to go at a snail's pace, to crawl along

rouler sa bosse
to see the world, to knock around

rouler une cigarette
to roll a cigarette

rouler les hanches
to wiggle one's hips

rouler ses manches (jusqu'au coude)
to roll up one's sleeves (to the elbow)

rouler des mécaniques (familiar)
to swagger

rouler la pâte
to roll out crust, dough

rouler une pelle / un patin à qqun   (familiar)
to French kiss someone

rouler pour qqun (informal) 
to work for someone

rouler une poussette
to push a baby carriage

rouler les R
to roll one's R's

rouler sous la table 
to be drunk

rouler sur
to center on (conversation)

rouler sur l'or (informal)
to be very rich, loaded

rouler un tapis
to roll up a rug

rouler une voiture
to drive a car


se faire rouler (dans la farine) (informal)
to get swindled, to be had

se rouler les pouces
to twiddle one's thumbs

se rouler par terre de rire
to roll on the ground laughing


Ça roule ? (familiar)
How's life? How's it going?

C'est à se rouler (par terre) !
It's hilarious! It's a riot!

On a bien roulé (informal)
We made good time

Pierre qui roule n'amasse pas mousse (proverb)
A rolling stone gathers no moss.


une roulade
trill, rolled meat, roll

roulant (adj)
rolling, on wheels, moving, fast, hilarious

un rouleau
roll, roller

le roulement
rotation, movement

un roulement (à billes)
(ball) bearing

une roulette
castor

le patinage à roulettes
roller-skating

un rouleur
flat racer (bicycle)

une roulotte
caravan, trailer


Rouler conjugations

Explore French Language

About.com Special Features

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

The Business School Lowdown

Everything from choosing a school and applying, to employment after graduation. More >

French Language

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. French Language
  4. French Vocabulary
  5. French Expressions
  6. Rouler - French Expressions with Rouler

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.