Dans son assiette

Expression: Dans son assiette

Pronunciation: [da(n) so(n) na syeht]

Meaning: normal, well, like oneself

Literal translation: in one's plate

Register: informal

Notes: The French expressions être dans son assiette (to feel well, like oneself) and avoir l'air dans son assiette (to be looking well, like oneself) are typically used in the negative, to indicate that a person either doesn't feel well or looks like s/he doesn't feel well. The possessive adjective changes to agree with the person being talked to/about.

Examples:

   J'aimerais rentrer, je ne suis pas dans mon assiette ce matin.
   I'd like to go home, I don't feel well this morning.

   Ça va, Marie ? Tu n'as pas l'air dans ton assiette aujourd'hui.
   Are you ok, Marie? You don't look yourself today.


Dans son assiette is also found in a couple of other informal expressions:

   baisser le nez dans son assiette - to bend over one's plate

   piquer du nez dans son assiette - to hang one's head in shame, to nod off (at the dinner table)

And dans son assiette can even be used literally, to refer to something on one's plate:

   Il y a trop de sauce dans ton assiette.
   There's too much sauce on your plate.


More

• Expressions with être
• Expressions with dans
• Most common French phrases
• Dishes and silverware