40+ French Idioms And Their Meanings

Like all the other languages, French is also known for its many popular idioms. The French love to use these idioms in everyday conversations. And like the rest of the idiomatic expressions across the world, these expressions are not meant to be taken literally. 

Among the most popular French idioms are “having a mustard up their nose”, “when chickens have teeth” and “a hair in the hand”. Yes, these may sound weird, like how idiomatic expressions should be, and must not be taken as it is. These expressions always have figurative meanings.

One way to appreciate the French language better is by getting a grasp of its most popular idioms. It will help you understand the language better and communicate with native speakers. It will also prevent any misunderstandings if you converse with the locals there.

Thus, if you’re planning to visit France soon, it’s a good idea to make yourself familiar with these expressions.

40+ French Idioms And Their Meanings

Here is a collection of the most widely used French idioms. You may start going through these expressions to enhance your French vocabulary. These will also help you speak like a native eventually. 

“Il fait un temps de chien!”

English translation: “It’s dog weather!” This is quite similar to the English expression “it’s raining cats and dogs!”

“Avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez.”

English translation: This literally means “to have mustard going up your nose” which means to lose your temper or to be angry. 

“Avoir le cafard.”

English translation: This literally means “have the cockroach” which means to feel sad, be depressed.

“Ne pas mettre tous ses œufs dans le même panier.”

English translation: This idiom literally means “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” which means you should not concentrate all your efforts and resources in one area as you could lose everything.

“Avoir la pêche/banane/patate.”

English translation: This literally means “to have the peach/banana/potato/shape”. This could mean to feel great, to feel happy, to be in high spirits.

“J’ai eu les yeux plus gros que le ventre!”

English translation: This literally means “I had eyes bigger than my stomach” which means that you thought you could eat more than you can actually do. 

“Avoir/crever la dalle.”

English translation: This literally means “to have/die the slab” which means to be starving or to feel hungry.

“Coûter un bras.”

English translation: This literally means “cost an arm” which means that something was really expensive.

“Mieux vaut tard que jamais.”

English translation: This literally means “better late than never!”

“Avoir les chevilles qui enflent.“

English translation: This literally means “to have ankles that swell” which means “to be full of yourself” or excessively proud or arrogant.  

“Couper les cheveux en quatre.”

English translation: This literally means “you’re cutting the hair into four pieces” which means someone is being meticulous or pedantic.

“Les actes valent mieux que les mots.”

English translation: This literally means “actions are worth more than words”. This is the French counterpart of the English saying “actions speak louder than words” which means well done is better than well said.

“Prendre la tête.”

English translation: This literally means  “to take the head” which means to bother someone, to give yourself a headache. to drive crazy.

“Péter un plomb.”

English translation: This literally means “to break or blow a fuse” which means to go crazy or to get very angry.

“Avoir un poil dans la main.”

English translation: This literally means “to have a hair in one’s hand” which means to be lazy.

“Plus facile à dire qu’à faire.”

English translation: This literally means “easier said than done.”

“Avoir du pain sur la planche.”

English translation: This literally means “to have bread on the board”. This is the French counterpart of the English saying “to have a lot on your plate” which means you have a lot to do.

“La vengeance est un plat qui se mange froid.”

English translation: This literally means “revenge is a dish best served cold.” This could be interpreted as revenge is more satisfying if enacted when unexpected or long feared, inverting traditional civilized revulsion toward “cold-blooded” violence.

“Avoir un chat dans la gorge.”

English translation: This literally means “have a cat in your throat”. This is quite similar to the English expression “to have a frog in your throat” which means that you have a sore throat or a heavy cough.

“Quand les poules auront des dents.”

English translation: This literally means “when chickens have teeth!” This is quite similar to the English expression “when pigs fly” or “when hell freezes over” which refers to something so unlikely to happen.

“Ce n’est pas ma tasse de thé.”

English translation: This literally means “it’s not my cup of tea” which means something that you don’t find to be agreeable to your tastes. In short, you don’t like it.

“J’en ai jusque-là.”

English translation: This idiom means “I’ve had it up to here” literally which means you had too much of something to deal with or you had enough already.

“Les doigts dans la nez.”

English translation: This literally means “I can do it with my fingers in my nose!” This is quite similar to the English expression “with your eyes closed” or “with your hands tied behind your back” which means something is very easy to do.

“L’avocat du diable.”

English translation: This literally means “Devil’s advocate”. This refers to a person who purposely plays a counterargument to another person’s belief. 

“Sentir le sapin.”

English translation: This literally means “to feel/sense the fir tree”. This could mean you’re “close to death” or “have one foot in the grave” since fir wood is known to be traditionally used to make coffins. This idiom, however, can be used figuratively to emphasize that something (a project perhaps) is about to fail or end.

“(Me) Passer sur le corps.”

English translation: This literally means “over my dead body.” This means you will do everything you can to prevent it from happening.

“Manger comme quatre.”

English translation: This literally means to “eat like four” which means you have an appetite of four people. It’s English counterpart is “to eat for two”.

“Rome ne s’est pas faite en un jour.”

English translation: This literally means “Rome wasn’t built in a day!” This is an adage attesting to the need for time to create great things. Like great things don’t happen overnight.

“Prendre quelqu’un la main dans le sac.”

English translation: This literally means “to catch someone with their hand in the bag”. This is quite similar to the English expression “to catch someone red-handed.”

“Un coup de foudre.”

English translation: This literally means “a thunderbolt”. This is short for “avoir un coup de foudre pour quelqu’un” which means to “have a lightning bolt for someone”. Figuratively, this means to have fallen in love with someone at first sight.

“Avoir le beurre et l’argent du beurre.”

English translation: This literally means “to have (both) butter and butter money” which means you can’t always get what you want.

“Une bouchée de pain.”

English translation: This literally means “a mouthful of bread” which means something of a very low price.

“Se prendre un râteau.”

English translation: This literally means “to hit a rake.” This describes a certain feeling like when the person you’re interested in rejects you. 

“L’habit ne fait pas le moine.”

English translation: This literally means “the clothing doesn’t make the monk”. It’s English counterpart is “don’t judge a book by its cover” which basically means not to judge things based on their appearance alone.

“S’envoyer en l’air.”

English translation: This literally means “to throw oneself in the air”. This means to get laid or to have sex.

“Il me court sur le haricot.”

English translation: This literally means “running on your bean” which means they’re getting on your nerves.

“Avoir la gueule de bois.”

English translation: This literally means “wooden mouth” which means having a very dry mouth during a hangover.

“Poser un lapin à quelqu’un.”

English translation: This literally means “to put a rabbit to someone”. This means getting stood up like, for example, on a date.

“Mettre son grain de sel.”

English translation: This literally means “to put one’s grain of salt”. This is the French counterpart of the American expression “to give one’s two cents” which means unsolicited or unwanted opinion or advice.

“Être dans le cirage.”

English translation: This literally means “polish” as in shoe polish. This could mean you’re groggy, drowsy, half-asleep, or maybe unconscious.

“Mettre la charrue avant les bœufs.”

English translation: This literally means “to put the plough before the cows.” It’s English counterpart is “to put the cart before the horse” which means something is done contrary to a convention or culturally expected order or relationship.

“Ne pas casser trois pattes à un canard.”

English translation: This literally means “they’d broken three legs on a duck” which means they’ve done something extraordinary and newsworthy.

“Jeter l’éponge.”

English translation: This literally means “to throw in the towel” which means to give up or surrender.