ça marche ! Note: don’t confuse this expression with “faire la fête” (to party). This idiom means someone has decided to face a risk or overcome a fear. So lazy in fact that he/she let a hair grow in her/his hand. La vue de son ex suffit pour que la moutarde lui monte au nez. Meaning: You “make the head” when you are not happy with something and decide to sulk as a result. Microsoft Word Document 24.5 KB. This idiom is often used to criticize someone who earns lots of money. English counterpart: to talk bullshit, to spin a yarn. Literally: to make a whole cheese out of it. English counterpart: to carelessly spend money, to waste money, to splurge. Do you know of any such expression french for beauty and confidence combined? As soon as they saw the policemen, the street peddlers ran away. Si, elle m’a posé un lapin. Le facteur ? What’s your favorite French idiom? C’est normal que tu ne te rappelles de rien, t’as bu comme un trou hier. English counterpart: To have a frog in one’s throat. English counterpart: there is nothing left/it’s the end. If you want, we can eat on the go instead of going to the restaurant. It was not quite “Je suis belle comme je suis”…; it was longer and had something about effortlessness. Meaning: When your bowl is full of something, it means you have too much of it (unless it’s a delicious cake of course). In France, demonstrations often get out of control. He always has to put his two cents in our conversations, it irritates me! Croire dur comme fer. So when you hear this, it means “to do something useless”. Literal Translation: to have further … Sunday is the perfect day to sleep in after a hard week of work. French Pod 101 offers lots of short podcasts that can be useful for any level of French learner, starting with beginners all the way to advanced learners. Meaning: You can use this idiom to express the feeling that you have something in your throat and therefore need to cough to clear it. For example, “Celui qui voulait aller au petit coin était celui dont la sourire était le plus large…” I suspect it means something like “The one who needs to go to the bathroom is the one whose smile is the largest.” Is that anywhere close? After such a day, you’re necessarily tired. Equivalent expression: … Meaning: Tomatoes are red, so is the face of someone who is embarrassed or ashamed of something. They can be such a bummer at times. To be on your 31 therefore means that you are wearing your most beautiful clothes, that you are elegant.“Se mettre sur son 31′′ is also used sometimes. I decided to spice up my life, I go to Africa tomorrow. Ah yeah I really like this one too. On se voit où demain ? I like your parents, but I am tired of the fact they always put their two cents. French AS and A Level Websites.doc. The literal translation says "to have hooked atoms with someone" which means to have a lot in common with another person. Consumer society encourages us to splurge. Alright! In this article, you’ll find 30 fun French idioms that range from the quirky to the downright ludicrous, arranged according to level of absurdity. Plus tu en sais, moins ce sera facile de te raconter des salades. -“Parti au petit coin” Ça va tourner au vinaigre si personne n’intervient. “Se faire larguer” (to get dumped) is the passive form. I have a lot on my plate this week. Mes rêves sont partis en fumée quand tu es partie. The French are fed up with their president. The candidates all gave their tongue to the cat/ admitted they didn’t know the answer and gave up. English counterpart: to be terrified, to be scared to death of something. Whatever that is. While the literal translation of this idiom is to be “like a chicken who has found a knife”, what it really means is to be at a complete loss. J’ai tellement la dalle que je pourrais manger n’importe quoi. So there you go. Instagram (+ 115 000 followers) Watch your suitcase or you risk losing it! Could be used in sport ( “pacemaker”) or in business (when you request a tender from a company you don’t plan to hire , just to drive the other companies to reduce their offers). Meaning: If you feel good in your skin, it means you are comfortable with your body and who you are. Raphael, stop talking about your sister behind her back, it’s rude. Il fait la tête car il n’a pas eu ce qu’il voulait. Elle a pris tes instructions au pied de la lettre et est partie en vacances. You can also use “un coup d’oeil” alone to say “a glance”. Meaning: We all know someone who always finds something to complain about and pays attention to the most insignificant details. I’m struggling through a couple of children’s books (en français), and I am regularly tripped up by idioms. You can take a look later if you lack time. When you hear someone say in French that they’re not bitten by cockchafers, it means some’re doing great / something is great. We caught him red-handed as he was about to leave. English counterpart: to have a lot on your plate. But at the advanced level, simply learning more French words isn’t enough.. It’s time to get ambitious with your vocabulary.. Chalk it up to the French people’s humour and clever play of words and brace yourself to learn them for future use, or simply for entertainment purposes. “filer le bébé” (lit. In French, you say the person “vous a posé un lapin”. Aucune idée, je donne ma langue au chat. It means “wet chicken” literally, but the real meaning is “coward”. Discover your level of French from the CEFRL by the free test of France Langue! Meaning: When you ask someone to take care of his onions, you actually politely (or not depending on the tone) ask them to stop bothering you and to mind their own business. For some young people, drinking heavily is a game. I have prepared just one more idiom. T’as l’air triste. In this article, I have shared a list of 30 useful French transition words and phrases that will help you create more sophisticated written arguments for your exam (at school or for DELF exam). Oh non, s’il continue à pleuvoir des cordes, on va devoir annuler le pique nique. No expression comes to mind but I will let you know if I remember. "To drown the fish". Qu’est-ce que vous êtes en train de faire ? The president has other things to do than to take care of your problems. French Expressions Expressions, tournures, idiotismes, locutions Idiomatic expressions (idioms), proverbs, everyday expressions – lots of lessons to help you speak French like the natives. It is also useful, though limited, for professional translators. English counterpart: to eat on the go, on the run. Someone who’s … English counterpart: to mind one’s own business. English counterpart: to be rolling in money, to be rich. It actually means someone is running for his life and leaving as quickly as possible. English counterpart: to be raining cats and dogs. English to French cheat sheet, with useful words and phrases to take with you on holiday. Pretty certain that won’t turn out to be good ideas, too. She has been crying a lot for more than three hours, I wonder when she is going to stop. It’s just an idiom laced with good old melodrama. This idiom literally means that "there is a testicle in the soup", and it means there is a problem here. You look sad, what’s going? While it may be weird to hear someone address you as their nephew, do not fret. Yet another animal-related idiom, but this means to evade an issue. When you can do something “les doigts dans le nez”, it means it’s easy to do. Literally: to throw the money through the windows. Meaning: If you spend time in France, you will notice that the French spend a lot of time eating and enjoying food. You can contact him on Twitter and Google +, French Marketing Vocabulary: 30 Words Every Marketer Should Know, French Football Vocabulary: 200 Words Every Fan Should Know, 40 Common French Acronyms and Abbreviations, Facebook (+153 000 Fans) The literal translation: "a little bit, my nephew!" It's obvious that French love food, right? French idioms can be weird, funny, imaginative, and inventive. Macaron addict. Ready to take it to the next level? French Idioms Using Food Items. But wait, it’s not for the weak of heart! Meaning: This lovely French idiom means “to sleep in”. Yeah, sucks to be a hair in a  soup. I have no idea, I give my tongue to the cat. They will be useful if you need to take an exam, or simply to revise and improve your French at home. This is made to test your knowledge on vocabulary, grammar and comprehension of French. The French like to get laid, that’s a well-known (fact). Je crève la dalle depuis une semaine, j’en ai marre. My boyfriend dumped me. Après avoir bu comme un trou, j’ai décidé de faire la grasse matinée. Meaning: Want to know where this idiom comes from? Sir, could you describe the face of the person who attacked you? Meaning: This isn’t technically an idiom, but I decided to include it because it confuses many French learners. And when you do, it’s too late. It’s driven me nuts that I lost it. Meaning: when you do something “sur un coup de tête”, you do it impulsively, without planning it. Jacqueline, I am trying to find the English equivalent of the French expression : “servir de lièvre”. Meaning: in English, you skip ropes, in French, they fall from the sky. It’s a bit difficult to guess, but what it means is that there is no half-measures with a certain person. FREE (10) Popular paid resources. Meaning: “to turn the page”, means you forget about the past and move on. Literally “let’s get back to our sheep” but means “let’s get back on topic” when you’re conversation has strayed. Je suis inquiet, j’ai l’impression qu’il n’est pas vraiment au taquet. Meaning: Are you bored? So “en train de” is actually the equivalent of “be + ing”. Je me suis fait larguer par mon copain. Mon vieux! No need to panic and call an ambulance when this happens, okay? (SAY WHAATT?) Oh non, Facebook ne fonctionne plus, c’est la fin des haricots. I am enjoying reading through them as it’s quite handy when I need to find the French equivalents to English phrasal verbs and/or idiomatic expressions. Literally: to cost the eyes of the head, to cost an arm. JAM. Literally: to be red like a tomato/crawfish/peony. The mailman didn’t seem to feel well yesterday. English counterpart: to be all dressed up. English counterpart: It’s not easy, it’s hard work. The French Pod 101 program includes audio and video lessons, mobile apps, desktop software and a website with French lessons. Note: “clique” isn’t used anymore, and “claque” now means “slap”. Meaning: Imagine you’re in the subway and see a pickpocket taking a phone out of a bag. Before you conjure weird ideas about things that come out of a cow’s mouth which seem like a really gross thing to think about -- relax. Faire gaffe - often used in the imperative - this strange little expression means to be careful, … Meaning: Ever had a date who didn’t show up? Literally: to take one’s legs to one’s neck. Meaning it unexpectedly and suddenly seduced you. Do you know where I could find the reverse (English idiomatic ones to French)? French A Level – useful phrases + vocab. This expression is a creative way of saying that you had to do something with very few tools. English counterpart: to summon the courage to do something, to gather one’s courage. Meaning: You use this idiom to say you are going to take a quick look at something. I like “revenons à nos moutons”. Here we go! "Ne pas avoir inventé la poudre" It’s a bit of an insult, this one. You just discovered the wonderful world of French idioms. Quand il a vu le chien, il a pris ses jambes à son cou. Can ask and answer basic questions about home, family, surroundings, etc. Meaning: Some people “prennent leurs jambes à leur cou” (run away), while other prefer to be brave and take their courage with two hands. You can use this French idiom when something is wrong, English counterpart: To not add up, not be right. Let’s meet at 10 AM in front of Exit 2 of the subway station Etoile tomorrow? Je vais jeter un coup d’oeil pour voir ce qui ne va pas. Meaning: When you have “le cafard”, it means you’re depressed, you are feeling down. Meaning: Nowadays “la dalle” mostly means “the slab”, but it used to designate a part of the throat. Et si tu t’occupais de tes oignons au lieu de lui faire des remarques ? Meaning: You ‘roll on gold” when you have so much money you don’t really know what to do with it. Have you ever been so bored you make yourself shit like a dead rat? C’est la deuxième fois que je perds mes clefs cette semaine, j’ai vraiment un QI d’huître. Souvent, les criminels prennent leurs jambes à leur cou bien avant l’arrivée de la police. level a charge against. English counterpart: to talk about someone behind his/her back. Meaning: Une “peur bleue” is a fear closer to terror than to actual fear. Phone: + 33 782 171 213 We can have a drink if you want. Meaning: When something goes up in smoke, it disappears, and that’s exactly what this idiom means. Sorry, I forgot we were supposed to meet today, I’m not with it at all. This French idiom means you are gossiping about someone who isn’t there. Merci, Now this expression is straightforward enough and quite similar to “smoke like a chimney”. Poor guy. Students should find it OK for A-level and early degree French. Oui, il était rouge comme une écrevisse. On n’est pas sorti de l’auberge ! Beaucoup de jeunes ne se sentent pas bien dans leur peau. I have always heard this as “putting in your 2 cents worth”. Meaning: This expression is used to say you don’t know about something and are unable to give an answer. Raphael, arrête de casser du sucre sur le dos de ta soeur, ça ne se fait pas. Microsoft Word Document 35.5 KB. Have you ever read or heard a sentence you couldn’t understand despite knowing all the words? Can you just imagine the ruckus that will bring? When some French-speaking dude tells you a story about how he “dribbled hat circles”, don’t take it literally. Chaque année de nombreux touristes tombent dans le panneau et achètent de fausses bagues en or. Meaning: This idiom actually has nothing to do with geography, you can use it to say someone is off. Pine tree wood was traditionally used to build them, so when something “smells of fir tree”, it means it already has one foot in the grave. English counterpart: to take the page from someone’s book, to follow an example, Ton frère a de bons résultats à l’école, j’espère que tu vas en prendre de la graine, Your brother has good results at school, I hope you will follow his example, Literally: to take your legs and your shoes. Meaning: When you go straight to the goal, it means you are not wasting any time and go straight to the point. No offense to giraffes! J’ai perdu mes lunettes de soleil, j’espère qu’elle ne va pas en faire tout un fromage. Meaning: No, this idiom has nothing to do with stretching. Nathan is sad because he got knocked back. One needs to have the IQ of an oyster not to pass this exam. J’aimerais bien acheter cet ordinateur, mais il coûte les yeux de la tête. Meaning:. Meaning: When you have “bread on the board”, it means you have a lot to do. AS Level French … Almost :). Kind of paints a morbid yet poignant picture, doesn’t it? Rien de mieux que des vacances au soleil pour avoir la pêche. English counterpart: to be well and truly in it, to not be out of the woods. When you walk in a bakery, it’s hard not to bite more than you can chew. Tu as l’air triste, qu’est-ce qui se passe ? Il faut toujours qu’il mette son grain de sel dans nos conversation, ça m’énerve ! Nice. Il cherche toujours la petite bête, c’est énervant. most of the time just to be nice. This idiom literally translates to “having a spider on the ceiling”. What do we do tonight? Meaning; Before, beans were the last food remaining when everything else was gone. Je devrais réviser, mais j’ai la flemme ! That is, you caught him red-handed. It can be literally translated as "to smoke like a fireman", but just means that someone smokes too damn much. This page offers suggestions for offering, supporting, asking for, and avoiding opinions in French. Could you tell me an expression for “I didn’t sign up for this”, please? I really loved the idioms. Meaning: this idiom means that two objects or person look alike. Just when you think you already got the hang of a foreign language, idioms rear their crazy little heads and go: nah-uh! It popped up again . When you “eat on the thumb”, it means you actually eat quickly and don’t sit down to enjoy and share the moment with your family and friends. Bosses earn lots of money, while employees earn very little. Meaning: When something “makes a tobacco”, it means it’s extremely successful. The more you know, the harder it will be to lie to you, Tu ne devrais pas lui faire confiance, il raconte souvent des salades. French idioms. Les français aiment s’envoyer en l’air, c’est bien connu. Did this DVD cost you a lot? I mean, look at that smirk and that cold “I’m not talking to you” glare. When he saw the dog, he started running for his life. So when you hear it, just do as the man says and be quick about it! ... Four main benefits to knowing French idioms: You will be able to understand a lot more. Meaning: When you are not out of the inn, it means you are facing lots of problems and won’t solve them anytime soon. English counterpart: to tighten one’s belt. I don’t feel well today, I don’t know why. J’apprécie tes parents, mais j’en ai marre qu’ils mettent toujours leur grain de sel. English counterpart: to be as red as a beetroot. It’s so easy I could do it with my eyes closed. You simply add the infinitive of the verb after “en train de” to construct it. It’s used to complain about people who join a conversation or do something without being invited to do so. On l’a pris la main dans le sac alors qu’il était sur le point de partir. PLUS --  for an entire year of French expressions arranged in daily, easy-to-digest bites, check out my e-book 365 days of French Expressions (with audiobook) in the box below: Frederic Bibard is the founder of Talk in French, a company that helps french learners to practice and improve their french. English counterpart: to be hot, to fit the standard of beauty. T’avais pas un rencard ce soir ? Merci en avance ! In summer, lots of passengers faint in the Parisian subway, because of the heat. He was so spaced out he went to the wrong hotel room when he came back. Many teenagers don’t feel comfortable with themselves. Meaning: In French, “raconter des salades” means you’re inventing a story hoping people will believe you. On peut aller boire un coup si tu veux. Beats me. English counterpart: to be fed up with something or someone. Meaning: This idiom means that you don’t notice something obvious. Ton frère me casse les pieds avec ses questions. So “un froid de canard” is an extremely cold and hostile weather. Meaning: You use this idiom to say you have to restrict yourself and do without something you are used to. Oh no, not really I ate on the go. He is sulking because he didn’t get what he wanted. English counterpart; to stand somebody up. Ce n’est pas de la tarte, mais ça vaut le coup. For example, if you plan to meet someone during the week, but don’t know when exactly, you may say “je te tiens au courant”. Quand j’ai entendu ça, la moutarde m’est montée au nez. Oh non pas vraiment, j’ai mangé sur le pouce. Meci beaucoup. English counterpart: to drink like a fish, to drink heavily. Elle roule sur l’or depuis qu’elle a gagné au loto. People can’t spend lots of money because of the economic crisis. English counterpart: to put one’s two cents in, Il ramène toujours sa fraise, c”est énervant, He always joins us without being invited to do so, it’s irritating, Literally: to change for another dairy shop. 1. English counterpart: to take one’s custom elsewhere. Considering that a duck only has two legs, among other things, this is actually similar to the English expression “it has nothing to write home about”.