Speaking a language goes beyond word-for-word translations, and this is never more evident than when you learn idioms. French idioms are multi-word phrases that express an idea as a whole but wouldn’t necessarily make sense literally or in direct translations. For example, “It’s raining cats and dogs” in English has a similar connotation to the French idiom il pleut des cordes (it’s raining ropes).
Native speakers learn the ideas and meanings behind these idioms from hearing them in context throughout their lives, but language learners might need some explanation. Learning common French idioms can increase your comprehension, help you express complex ideas and emotions, and expand your vocabulary. Plus, French idioms can be an amusing way to compare the language to English, as some use similar ideas and others have no connection at all.
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10 of the most common idioms you’ll hear in French conversations
French idioms and phrases are common in everyday conversations about weather, feelings, and small talk, so even beginners will hear them.
Though they use simple French words and phrases, these idioms may carry a very different underlying meaning. French speakers may use them as a shorthand and not even realize they might be confusing.
| French | Literal Translation | English Concept |
| appeler un chat un chat | to call a cat a cat | to tell it like it is |
| avoir du pain sur la planche | to have some bread on the board | to have a lot of work to do |
| avoir le coup de foudre | to have the lightning strike | to fall in love at first sight |
| ça marche/ça roule | that walks/that rolls | that works/that’s a good plan |
| faire d’une pierre deux coups | to make two strikes with one stone | to reach two goals at once |
| faire la grasse matinée | to do a fat morning | to sleep later than normal |
| mettre du beurre dans les épinards | to put some butter in the spinach | to earn a little extra money |
| ne pas être dans son assiette | to not be on your plate | to not feel your best |
| poser un lapin à quelqu’un | to put a rabbit to someone | to not show up when expected |
| s’occuper de ses oignons | to pay attention to your own onions | to mind your own business |
Appeler un chat un chat (to tell it like it is)
Literal translation: to call a cat a cat
Meaning: to tell it like it is
English equivalent idiom: to call a spade a spade
This phrase can be used in most conversations where speaking directly would be appropriate, like this example:
- Je ne comprends pas pourquoi je n’ai pas encore vendu ma voiture. = I don’t understand why I haven’t yet sold my car.
- Je vais appeler un chat un chat. C’est trop cher. = I’m going to call a spade a spade. It’s too expensive.
Avoir du pain sur la planche (to have a lot of work to do)
Literal translation: to have some bread on the board
Meaning: to have a lot of work to do
English equivalent idiom: to have your work cut out for you
A very common idiom for work, school, or life’s chores, this is a callback to bakers lining up multiple batches of bread at various stages, knowing they would need to see the task all the way through.
- Je ne peux pas aujourd’hui, je suis très occupé. = I can’t today, I’m very busy.
- Moi aussi, j’ai du pain sur la planche. À demain ! = Me too, I’ve got my work cut out for me. See you tomorrow!
Avoir le coup de foudre (to fall in love at first sight)
Literal translation: to have the lightning strike
Meaning: to fall in love immediately
English equivalent idiom: to fall in love at first sight
This common expression is one of many French idioms related to love and romance.
- Tu es tombée amoureuse ? = You’ve fallen in love?
- Oui, j’ai vraiment eu le coup de foudre. = Yes, I really fell in love at first sight.
Ça marche/ça roule (that is a good plan)
Literal translation: that works/that rolls
Meaning: that will be a good plan
Use this in social situations to accept a plan, but probably not in formal business settings.
- On va partir demain à huit heures. = We’re going to leave tomorrow at 8.
- Ça marche. = That works.
Faire d’une pierre deux coups (to reach two goals with one effort)
Literal translation: to make of one stone two hits
Meaning: to reach two goals at the same time or with one effort
English equivalent idiom: to kill two birds with one stone
There are several translations for coup, this time meaning “shots” or “hits.” Use this any time you can check two objectives off your list with one activity.
Faire la grasse matinée (to sleep late)
Literal translation: to do the fat morning
Meaning: to sleep later than you would normally
English equivalent idiom: to sleep in/to have a lie-in
A grasse matinée is done intentionally, not as in the expression avoir une panne d’oreiller (to have a pillow breakdown), which would be “to accidentally oversleep.”
- Je n’ai rien à faire demain. Je vais faire la grasse matinée. = I have nothing to do tomorrow. I’m going to sleep in.
Mettre du beurre dans les épinards (to earn a little extra money)
Literal translation: to put some butter in the spinach
Meaning: to earn a bit of side income
English equivalent idiom: to have a side gig
Spinach alone is sufficient, but if you can afford it, you can put du beurre (some butter) in it for a small luxury. Earning a bit of extra money can help you afford the things you would like but don’t necessarily need.
- Pourquoi tu travailles samedi matin ? = Why are you working Saturday morning?
- Je veux mettre du beurre dans les épinards. = I want to earn a little extra money.
Ne pas être dans son assiette (to not feel like yourself)
Literal translation: to not be on your plate
Meaning: to not feel like yourself
English equivalent idiom: to feel out of sorts/off your game
This is a good expression to use with friends and family to talk about feeling under the weather.
- T’as l’air fatigué, ça va ? = You seem tired, are you ok?
- Ouais, je ne suis pas dans mon assiette. = Yeah, I’m under the weather.
Poser un lapin à quelqu’un (to not meet up when expected)
Literal translation: to put a rabbit to someone
Meaning: to fail to meet for an appointment or date
English equivalent idiom: to stand someone up
Use this expression if someone doesn’t show up for a date or meeting without communicating.
- Et ton rendez-vous ? = And your date?
- Bof, elle m’a posé un lapin. = Meh, she stood me up.
S’occuper de ses oignons (to mind your own business)
Literal translation: to pay attention to your onions
Meaning: to pay attention to yourself instead of someone else’s choices
English equivalent idiom: to mind your own business
Among friends, family, or in office gossip, you can let someone know that a topic is none of their business.
- De quoi il parlait ? = What was he talking about?
- Occupe-toi de tes oignons. = Mind your own business.
French idioms about love
French is known as the language of love worldwide. This could be attributed to the fluid way it is pronounced, the romantic products that France is known for, like quality meals and wines, or the allure of Paris. So, it’s no surprise that idioms about love abound.
| French | Literal Translation | English Concept |
| avoir un coeur d’artichaut | to have an artichoke heart | to fall in love easily |
| avoir un faible pour quel qu’un | to have a weakness for someone | to have a crush on someone |
| mon petit chou | my little cabbage | a term of endearment |
| vivre d’amour et d’eau fraiche | to live on love and fresh water | to live on love alone |
Avoir un coeur d’artichaut (to fall in love easily)
Literal translation: to have an artichoke heart
Meaning: to fall in love quickly and frequently
English equivalent idiom: to be a hopeless romantic
If you’ve ever known someone who goes from one love of their life to the next very quickly, they might have un coeur d’artichaut according to French idioms.
Avoir un faible pour quelqu’un (to have a crush on someone)
Literal translation: to have a weakness for someone
Meaning: to be interested in someone romantically
English equivalent idiom: to have a crush on someone; to be weak in the knees
The word faible means “weakness,” so it could refer to someone who makes you feel a little bit weak in the knees, or that you admire someone from a distance.
Mon petit chou (term of endearment)
Literal translation: my little cabbage
Meaning: term of endearment
English equivalent idiom: honey, sweetie
Can you imagine calling your loved one “my little cabbage”? The literal translation of this very French term of endearment would raise eyebrows in any other language, but it’s a sweet translation in French, stemming from chou à la crème, a French cream puff pâtisserie (pastry). You can use it with anyone you love dearly, not just romantically. The masculine form is used regardless of the person’s gender.
Vivre d’amour et d’eau fraiche (to live on love alone)
Literal translation: to live from love and fresh water
Meaning: to feel that love is all you need, even above financial or material things
English equivalent idiom: to live on love alone
Young couples may be so hopelessly in love that other concerns like l’argent (money) take a back seat to the time they spend together.
French idioms you’re likely to hear in the workplace
If you’re working or having a business meeting in France, there’s a high chance of encountering one of these idioms. Many of them don’t apply exclusively to the workplace, but are useful in other life situations as well.
| French | Literal Translation | English Concept |
| couper la poire en deux | to cut the pear in two | to compromise |
| couper les cheveux en quatre | to cut the hair into four | to overcomplicate something |
| donner sa langue au chat | to give one’s tongue to the cat | to be out of ideas |
| long comme un jour sans pain | long as a day without bread | seemingly unending, as in a meeting or tedious task |
| mettre les bouchées doubles | to put double mouthfuls | to work more quickly |
| Quand le chat n’est pas là, les souris dansent. | When the cat isn’t here, the mice dance. | lacking supervision, some will take advantage of the situation |
Couper la poire en deux (to compromise)
Literal translation: to cut the pear in two
Meaning: to compromise
English equivalent idiom: to split the difference
In your next disagreement, you can meet in the middle by cutting the pear in half. This is a common and useful expression for business or decisions between family and friends.
Couper les cheveux en quatre (to overcomplicate something)
Literal translation: to cut the hairs in four
Meaning: to overcomplicate a situation
English equivalent idiom: to split hairs
This idiom paints a picture of someone focused on a minuscule detail, attempting something almost impossible, which would have almost no real effect.
- C’est évident. On ne doit pas couper les cheveux en quatre. = It’s obvious. We don’t need to split hairs.
Donner sa langue au chat (to give up)
Literal translation: to give one’s tongue to the cat
Meaning: to stop guessing because you’re out of ideas
English equivalent idiom: to throw in the towel
Even though this idiom involves un chat (a cat) and une langue (a tongue), it doesn’t have the same meaning as “Cat’s got your tongue?” which is more appropriate when someone’s acting a bit quieter than usual.
The French idiom is used in guessing games, riddles, or when you simply don’t know the answer to a question and want the speaker to tell you.
- Savez-vous combien de personnes ont répondu ? = Do you know how many people responded?
- Je ne sais pas. Je donne ma langue au chat. = I don’t know. I give up.
Long comme un jour sans pain (unbearably long)
Literal translation: long like a day without bread
Meaning: when something lasts much longer than anticipated
English equivalent idioms: like watching paint dry
Don’t let your boss hear you, but this would be a fun idiom to use with a colleague during or after a long and boring meeting or presentation.
- La réunion était longue comme un jour sans pain. = The meeting took forever.
Mettre les bouchées doubles (to do the task faster)
Literal translation: to put double mouthfuls
Meaning: to work more quickly
English equivalent idiom: to pick up the pace
When it’s time to work twice as quickly, you may hear the French phrase mettre les bouchées doubles, which literally means “to put in double mouthfuls.” If you’re taking two bites at a time, the job can get done quicker!
Quand le chat n’est pas là, les souris dansent (someone is taking advantage of being unsupervised)
Literal translation: when the cat isn’t here, the mice dance
Meaning: when a person of authority isn’t present, some people take advantage of the situation
English equivalent idiom: when the cat’s away, the mice will play
This is a good idiom for those times when the supervisor is away, and your colleagues take a little bit longer at lunch or a few more trips to the break room than normal.
- Le patron est parti et tout le monde bavarde. = The boss left and everyone’s chatting.
- Oui, quand le chat n’est pas là, les souris dansent. = Yes, when the cat’s away, the mice will play.
Socializing with French idioms
Hanging out with French speakers is an easy way to include French conversation practice in your learning journey and expand your vocabulary, including French idioms. You might hear these idioms as you spend time at parties or social events, or when getting into deep discussions with French friends over dinner.
| French | Literal Translation | English Concept |
| avoir du vent dans les voiles | to have wind in the sails | to be drunk |
| filer à l’anglaise | to run off in the English way | to leave without saying goodbye |
| mettre son grain de sel | to put one’s grain of salt | to give an opinion |
| Quand on parle du loup, on en voit la queue. | When you talk about the wolf, you see its tail. | when you are talking about someone and then they appear |
| ramener sa fraise | to bring back one’s strawberry | to insert yourself into a conversation without invitation |
| se mettre sur son trente-et-un | to put oneself on one’s thirty-one | to be dressed up |
Avoir du vent dans les voiles (to be drunk)
Literal translation: to have wind in your sails
Meaning: to be drunk
English equivalent idiom: to be three sheets to the wind
This expression is a bit of a false friend as well, as the translation in English “to have wind in your sails” means to have momentum and be successful. Talk about someone who is visibly intoxicated with this idiom in French.
- Où est Claude ? = Where’s Claude?
- Il est parti, heureusement. Il avait du vent dans les voiles. = He left, thankfully. He was three sheets to the wind.
Filer à l’anglaise (to leave a party without saying goodbye)
Literal translation: to run off in the English way
Meaning: to leave a group situation without saying goodbye to anyone
English equivalent idioms: to Irish exit
English speakers use a variety of similar expressions with different nationalities, such as “French exit” or “Irish exit,” which mean “to slip out of a social gathering without saying goodbye.” This would be considered poor manners in most social situations in France, though, where it is very much expected to greet everyone at the gathering and also say goodbye to everyone.
Mettre son grain de sel (to give your opinion)
Literal translation: to put in one’s grain of salt
Meaning: to add one’s opinion to the discussion
English equivalent idiom: to add one’s two cents
You can put in your two cents or your grain de sel (grain of salt) in any situation where your opinion may or may not be valuable, but the listener is welcome to it. It is often slightly negative, but can be used neutrally.
- Je dois choisir une robe pour la cérémonie. = I have to choose a dress for the ceremony.
- Je peux mettre mon grain de sel ? = Can I add my two cents?
Quand on parle du loup (on en voit la queue), (speak of the devil)
Literal translation: when you talk about the wolf (you see its tail)
Meaning: when you’re talking about someone and they appear
English equivalent idiom: speak of the devil
You don’t necessarily need to say the complete idiom, just as in English we typically only say the first part of the expression “speak of the devil and he shall appear.”
- Salut ! = Hi!
- Ah, quand on parle du loup ! = Oh, speak of the devil!
Ramener sa fraise (to give an unsolicited opinion)
Literal translation: to take back one’s strawberry
Meaning: to be in someone’s business (uninvited)
English equivalent idiom: to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong
If you’ve ever been in a personal discussion and someone shares an uninvited opinion, especially if you didn’t know they were listening, you might tell them to stop sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong. This use of fraise (strawberry) is more of a slang for la tête or head.
- On ne demandait pas son avis, mais comme toujours, Marc a ramené sa fraise. = We weren’t asking his opinion, but like always, Marc stuck his nose in.
Se mettre sur son trente-et-un (to be all dressed up)
Literal translation: to put oneself on one’s 31
Meaning: to be all dressed up
English equivalent idiom: to be dressed to the nines
Both French and English have a particular number that must have been associated with formal dress in the past, and now survives in the idioms for getting dressed up.
- Elle s’est mise sur son trente-et-un pour aller dîner. = She got dressed to the nines to go out to dinner.
Use French idioms to discuss personal traits
To describe yourself or others, these idioms help you get a sense of a person’s appearance, personality, or character. Idioms, like French slang, can be pejorative, so take care to use French idioms and phrases only when you know exactly how they’ll be understood.
| French | Literal Translation | English Concept |
| avoir un poil dans la main | to have a hair in the hand | to be extremely lazy |
| être comme un éléphant dans un magasin de porcelaine | to be like an elephant in a china shop | to be clumsy or awkward |
| être haut comme trois pommes | to be up high like two apples | to be short |
avoir un poil dans la main (to be lazy)
Literal translation: to have a hair on the hand
Meaning: to be lazy
If you have un poil (one single hair) on your hand, it stands to reason that you’re not using those hands to do any difficult labor. It’s a playful exaggeration of someone who doesn’t like to donner un coup de main (to lend a hand) or isn’t naturally motivated.
Être comme un éléphant dans un magasin de porcelaine (to be clumsy)
Literal translation: to be like an elephant in a porcelain shop
Meaning: to be clumsy or awkward; to unintentionally cause problems
English equivalent idiom: to be like a bull in a china shop
Both English and French bring to mind a large animal causing destruction around fragile items, but when you think about these idioms, it’s not the fault of the elephant or the bull. It’s simply that they are too large and powerful. Likewise, the idiom refers to someone who might cause trouble unintentionally.
Être haut comme trois pommes (to be short, like a child)
Literal translation: to be high like three apples
Meaning: to be short in height (usually said of a child)
English equivalent idiom: to be knee-high to a grasshopper
Someone who is referencing a child’s size or youth, or even reminiscing about their childhood, might use this playful expression.
- Mon neveu est haut comme trois pommes mais il sait jouer au foot ! = My nephew is knee-high to a grasshopper, but he knows how to play soccer!
French idioms about emotions and how you feel
The French language is expressive about many other feelings outside of love. Find just the right expression for your mood, whether you’re in high spirits, down in the dumps, or anything in between.
| French | Literal Translation | English Concept |
| avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez | to have mustard that goes up the nose | to lose your temper |
| avoir la pêche | to have the peach | to be in high spirits |
| en faire tout un fromage | to make a whole cheese of it | to create a larger problem out of a small one; to exaggerate |
Avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez (to lose your temper)
Literal translation: to have the mustard that goes up to your nose
Meaning: to lose your temper
English equivalent idiom: to flip your lid
It’s no surprise that getting mustard inside your nose would be an uncomfortable situation for anyone. But what you may not know is that France has a long history of mustard making in the Dijon region of Burgundy. So, it makes sense for the French to use this condiment in an idiom.
Avoir la pêche (to be in high spirits)
Literal translation: to have the peach
Meaning: to be in a great mood
English equivalent idiom: to be peachy-keen
As early as the 1700s, “peach” came to mean an attractive person or a good person. So, it’s easy to surmise that anyone who is attractive or good would feel great!
En faire tout un fromage (to create a larger problem out of a small one)
Literal translation: to make a whole cheese of it
Meaning: to make a bigger problem out of a small one
English equivalent idiom: to make a mountain out of a molehill
Being known for its cheeses, it should come as no surprise that the French would use this beloved food for this common idiom.
French idioms about life
The expression c’est la vie ! (That’s life!) is so full of meaning that English speakers have simply borrowed it to express acceptance of life’s ups and downs. Some idioms can express similar universal experiences of having to make difficult decisions, accept consequences, and hope for the best.
| French | Literal Translation | English Concept |
| bonnet blanc et blanc bonnet | white bonnet and bonnet white | two equal choices |
| c’est la cerise sur le gâteau | it’s the cherry on the cake | it’s extra good |
| ce n’est pas la mer à boire | it’s not the ocean to drink | the task is not impossible |
| les carottes sont cuites | the carrots are cooked | there’s nothing you can do about it now |
| toucher du bois | to touch wood | hoping that good luck will continue |
Bonnet blanc et blanc bonnet (to have two similar choices)
Literal translation: white hat and hat white
Meaning: two choices are fundamentally the same
English equivalent idiom: six of one, a half dozen of the other
The meaning of bonnet blanc et blanc bonnet is a rather ungrammatical and repetitive “white hat and hat white.” Isn’t that the same thing? Just like “six of one, half dozen of the other,” this expression refers to two choices that are essentially the same. It won’t matter which you choose, so it’s almost like having no choice to make at all.
C’est la cerise sur le gâteau (it’s an extra bonus)
Literal translation: it’s the cherry on the cake
Meaning: something that makes a good situation even better
English equivalent idioms: it’s the cherry on top
The cherry on top, like in English, is an emphasis on an extra layer of goodness.
- Le voyage était parfait. Beau temps, repas délicieux, activités amusantes, mais l’hôtel, c’était la cerise sur le gâteau. = The trip was perfect. Beautiful weather, delicious meals, fun activities, but the hotel, that was the cherry on top.
Ce n’est pas la mer à boire (the situation isn’t impossible)
Literal translation: it’s not the ocean to drink
Meaning: the task or situation is still manageable
Drinking la mer (the ocean) would be impossible. This idiom of exaggeration can help encourage a friend who is apprehensive about a difficult task.
- Oui, c’est un peu compliqué, mais ce n’est pas la mer à boire. = Yes, it’s a little complicated, but it’s not impossible.
Les carottes sont cuites (there’s nothing you can change now)
Literal translation: the carrots are cooked
Meaning: the situation is unlikely to change
English equivalent idioms: the die is cast
You’ve turned in your presentation, you’ve signed a contract, or you’ve taken an important exam. Before you get to know the results, you can use this expression.
- On peut encore gagner le match ? = Can we still win the game?
- Non, les carottes sont cuites. = No, it’s all over. Nothing we can do about it now.
Toucher du bois (knock on wood)
Literal translation: touch wood
Meaning: a gesture that means “hopefully luck won’t run out”
English equivalent idiom: knock on wood/touch wood
This idiom is often replaced by the gesture of knocking on a wooden surface. It is a hope to prevent bad luck or to continue a streak of good luck.
- Je n’ai pas été malade toute l’année. (touche du bois) = I haven’t been sick all year. (knock on wood).
Weird and interesting French idioms that are fun for learners
Idioms with animals, food, or that take a different direction from the English equivalent are a fun way to build your vocabulary. These French idioms include helpful basic vocabulary as you learn how to speak French.
See if you can match up the English equivalent idioms, such as:
- don’t judge a book by its cover
- to be chopped liver
- when pigs fly
| French | Literal Translation | English Idiom/Concept |
| compter pour des prunes | to count for plums | to be worthless/to not be important |
| l’habit ne fait pas le moine | the clothes don’t make the monk | you can’t tell about a person just by appearances |
| quand les poules auront les dents | when chickens have teeth | something highly unlikely |
| se mettre le doigt dans l’oeil | to put your finger in your eye | to be kidding yourself |
| tomber dans les pommes | to fall in the apples | to faint, to pass out |
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