{"id":8475,"date":"2016-02-17T15:21:26","date_gmt":"2016-02-17T13:21:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/?p=8475"},"modified":"2021-06-23T13:01:45","modified_gmt":"2021-06-23T11:01:45","slug":"hilarious-french-expressions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/french-courses-paris\/hilarious-french-expressions\/","title":{"rendered":"Hilarious French Expressions"},"content":{"rendered":"

French expressions and idioms are a great way to sound more natural and to better understand\u00a0French culture<\/strong><\/h2>\n

But they can also be extremely confusing, and sometimes funny if you translate them literally<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Here is a selection of 10\u00a0common French idioms you need to become familiar with. Each French idiom\u00a0comes with its translation, English counterpart and explanation.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Avoir un\u00a0poil dans la main<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Literal translation<\/strong>\u00a0: to have a hair in the hand.<\/p>\n

    Meaning<\/strong>\u00a0: to be lazy.<\/p>\n

    This French expression means a person is extremely lazy. So lazy in fact that he\/she let a hair grow in her\/his hand.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0How to use \u201cavoir un\u00a0poil\u00a0dans la main\u201d ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Il a un\u00a0poil\u00a0dans la main.<\/p>\n

    He is very lazy.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Poser un\u00a0lapin<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Literal translation<\/strong>\u00a0: to put a rabbit.<\/p>\n

      Meaning<\/strong>\u00a0: to stand someone up.<\/p>\n

      When you are waiting for a person who never shows up, you can say that the person \u201d\u00a0vous\u00a0a\u00a0pos\u00e9\u00a0unlapin\u201c.<\/p>\n

      How to use \u201cposer un\u00a0lapin\u201c?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Il\u00a0m\u2019a\u00a0pos\u00e9\u00a0un\u00a0lapin\u00a0lors\u00a0de notre premier\u00a0rendez-vous.<\/p>\n

      He stood me up on our first date.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n

        Ne pas\u00a0\u00eatre sorti de\u00a0l\u2019auberge<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Literal translation<\/strong>\u00a0: to not be out of the inn.<\/p>\n

        Meaning<\/strong>\u00a0: to face\u00a0a complicated problem.<\/p>\n

        When you are not out of the\u00a0inn, it means you are facing lots of problems and won\u2019t solve them any time soon.<\/p>\n

        How to use this French\u00a0expression?<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Il\u00a0n\u2019est\u00a0pas\u00a0sorti\u00a0de\u00a0l\u2019auberge.<\/p>\n

        He is not out of the inn.<\/p>\n

        It will take a while before he gets rid of his problems.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \n

          Avoir le\u00a0cafard<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Literal translation<\/strong>\u00a0: to have the cockroach.<\/p>\n

          Meaning<\/strong>\u00a0: to be depressed.<\/p>\n

          No, it doesn\u2019t mean that your bed is full of cockroaches, it means\u00a0that you are depressed.<\/p>\n

          This expression was first used by Baudelaire in \u00a0\u201cLesFleurs\u00a0du Mal<\/a>\u201d in 1857 and has been quite popular ever since.<\/p>\n

          How to use \u201cavoir le cafard\u201d ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Aujourd\u2019hui\u00a0j\u2019ai\u00a0le\u00a0cafard.<\/p>\n

          Today I am depressed.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. \n

            Chercher\u00a0<\/strong>la petite b\u00eate<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Literal translation<\/strong>\u00a0: to look for the little beast.<\/p>\n

            Meaning<\/strong>\u00a0: to always look for something to complain about\/ splitting hairs.<\/p>\n

            We all know someone who always finds something to complain about and pays attention to the most insignificant details. In French we say that this person \u201ccherche\u00a0la petite b\u00eate\u201d.<\/p>\n

            How to use the French expression \u201cchercher\u00a0la petite b\u00eate\u201d ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Il\u00a0cherche\u00a0toujours\u00a0la petite b\u00eate, c\u2019est \u00e9nervant.
            He is always splitting hairs, it\u2019s irritating.<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. \n

              Donner un coup de main<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Literal translation<\/strong>\u00a0: to give a knock of hand.<\/p>\n

              Meaning<\/strong>\u00a0: to give a helping hand.<\/p>\n

              \u201cCoup de main\u201d means \u201chelping hand\u201d which immediately makes the expression easier to understand. And very similar expression to English in\u00a0the end.<\/p>\n

              How to \u00a0\u201cdonner\u00a0un coup de main\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n

              Peux-tu\u00a0me\u00a0donner\u00a0un coup de main s\u2019il te pla\u00eet\u00a0?<\/p>\n

              Can you help me out please?<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. \n

                Faire un\u00a0froid de canard<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Literal translation<\/strong>\u00a0: to do a cold of duck.<\/p>\n

                Meaning<\/strong>\u00a0: to be extremely cold.<\/p>\n

                In\u00a0winter, when it\u2019s very cold, ducks go away from lakes and are therefore exposed to hunters. So \u201cun froid de canard\u201d is an extremely cold and hostile weather.<\/p>\n

                How to use \u201cfaire un\u00a0froid\u00a0de canard\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n

                Il fait un\u00a0froid\u00a0de canard\u00a0ici\u00a0en\u00a0hiver.<\/p>\n

                It\u2019s very cold here in winter.<\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. \n

                  Donner sa langue au chat<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Literal translation<\/strong>\u00a0: to give one\u2019s tongue to the cat.<\/p>\n

                  Meaning<\/strong>\u00a0: I have no idea\/I give up.<\/p>\n

                  This French expression is used to say you don\u2019t know about something and are unable to give an\u00a0answer.<\/p>\n

                  Back in the 19 th century, cats were considered the guardians of secrets. and their words (that is if your cat can speak :D) therefore had a considerable value. So when you give your tongue to the cat, you expect it to give you the answer to a question you are unable to answer.<\/p>\n

                  How to use \u201cdonner\u00a0sa langue au chat\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  Marc : Tu ne\u00a0devineras\u00a0jamais\u00a0qui\u00a0j\u2019ai\u00a0vu dans la rue\u00a0aujourd\u2019hui\u00a0!<\/p>\n

                  You will never guess who I saw in the street today!<\/p>\n

                  Martin : Le\u00a0facteur\u00a0?<\/p>\n

                  The postman?<\/p>\n

                  Marc : Non,\u00a0quelqu\u2019un\u00a0que tu\u00a0connais\u00a0!
                  No, someone you know!<\/p>\n

                  Marc ;\u00a0Alors\u00a0l\u00e0,\u00a0je\u00a0donne\u00a0ma langue au chat.<\/p>\n

                  Well, I have no idea.<\/p>\n

                  Incapable de\u00a0r\u00e9pondre\u00a0\u00e0 la question du\u00a0professeur, Julien a\u00a0donn\u00e9\u00a0sa langue au chat.<\/p>\n

                  Unable to answer the teacher\u2019s question, Julien gave up.<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. \n

                    Avoir la\u00a0gueule de\u00a0bois<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    \u201cTo have the wooden face\u201d.<\/p>\n

                    Ever drank a little too much alcohol? Then you know what a wooden face feels like since \u201cgeule\u00a0de\u00a0bois\u201d is the translation of hangover.<\/p>\n

                    The expression comes from the fact that your mouth is dry like wood when you are hangover. Sounds familiar?<\/p>\n

                    How to use \u201cavoir la\u00a0gueule\u00a0de\u00a0bois\u201c?<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    Apr\u00e8s avoir fait la f\u00eate\u00a0hier\u00a0soir,\u00a0je\u00a0me\u00a0suis\u00a0r\u00e9veill\u00e9\u00a0avec\u00a0une\u00a0gueule\u00a0de\u00a0bois\u00a0terrible.
                    After partying yesterday night, I woke up with a terrible hangover.<\/p>\n

                    10. \u00catre\u00a0<\/strong>sur son 31<\/strong><\/h4>\n

                    \u201cTo be on your 31\u201d.<\/p>\n

                    Like for many others, the origin of this expression is unknown. However, it could come from the word \u201ctrentain\u201d which used to refer to\u00a0a luxurious tissue.<\/p>\n

                    To be on your 31 therefore means that you are wearing your most beautiful clothes, that you are elegant.<\/p>\n

                    \u201cSe\u00a0mettre\u00a0sur son 31\u2033 is also used sometimes.<\/p>\n

                    How to use the expression \u201c\u00eatre\u00a0sur son 31\u2033?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

                    Wahou, tu es sur ton 31\u00a0aujourd\u2019hui!<\/p>\n

                    Wow, you are very elegant today!<\/p>\n

                    Oui,\u00a0j\u2019ai\u00a0un\u00a0rendez-vous.<\/p>\n

                    Yes, I have a date.<\/p>\n

                    \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

                    Want to study more French expressions in real-life contexts? Contact Caroline to know more about her French courses in Paris.<\/p>her french language courses are are organized for all levels : beginner students who wants to rapidly develop their skills; intermediate learners who already have some knowledge or French, and advanced-level students who need a refresher and want to brush up on their French communication skills.<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    Idioms are a great way to sound natural when speaking a foreign language. Here’s a selection of 10 hilarious French expressions with examples and translation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8479,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,2625],"tags":[3104,3171,3005,2090,3169,440,2091,2098,2092,3170,2093,2694,2095,2097,2096,2094],"class_list":["post-8475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-french-courses-paris","category-french-expressions","tag-advanced","tag-beginner-students","tag-chercher-la-petite-bete","tag-common-french-idioms","tag-etre-sur-son-31","tag-french-courses-in-paris","tag-french-expressions","tag-french-expressions-and-idioms","tag-french-idiom","tag-french-language-courses","tag-hilarious-french-expressions","tag-intermediate-learners","tag-popular-french-expressions","tag-sound-more-natural","tag-tv5-monde","tag-use-the-french-expression"],"aioseo_notices":[],"modified_by":"Caroline","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/images\/2016\/02\/french-expression-etre-lessivee.jpg",620,420,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/images\/2016\/02\/french-expression-etre-lessivee-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/images\/2016\/02\/french-expression-etre-lessivee-300x203.jpg",300,203,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/images\/2016\/02\/french-expression-etre-lessivee.jpg",620,420,false],"large":["https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/images\/2016\/02\/french-expression-etre-lessivee.jpg",620,420,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/images\/2016\/02\/french-expression-etre-lessivee.jpg",620,420,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/images\/2016\/02\/french-expression-etre-lessivee.jpg",620,420,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Caroline","author_link":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/author\/caroline\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Idioms are a great way to sound natural when speaking a foreign language. Here's a selection of 10 hilarious French expressions with examples and translation.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8475"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8475\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}