{"id":116726,"date":"2024-02-03T19:28:19","date_gmt":"2024-02-04T00:28:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/french-idioms\/"},"modified":"2025-01-21T03:05:17","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T08:05:17","slug":"french-idioms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/french\/french-idioms\/","title":{"rendered":"52 Common French Idioms"},"content":{"rendered":"

You could go without learning French idioms, but who wants to sound like a middle school textbook when they make everyday conversation?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to make a connection when you sound formal and awkward. Knowing common French idioms and expressions can help you connect on a deeper level with native French speakers and even sound more native yourself.<\/p>\n

You can start off with the expressions in the FluentU French YouTube video<\/a> below, then move on to our more extensive list after.<\/p>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Co\u00fbter les yeux de la t\u00eate<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:\u00a0<\/strong>To cost the eyes of the head<\/p>\n

Co\u00fbter les yeux de la t\u00eate<\/i> literally means that something costs the eyes of the head\u2014it\u2019s a price that\u2019s unreasonable. The English equivalent is “to cost an arm and a leg.”<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n

J’aurais aim\u00e9 acheter un nouvel ordi mais \u00e7a co\u00fbte<\/strong> les yeux de la t\u00eate.<\/strong><\/em>
\nI would have liked to buy a new computer but it costs an arm and a leg.<\/p>\n

2. Boire comme un trou<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning: <\/strong>Drink like a hole<\/p>\n

When you say that someone drinks like a hole, it means that they never stop, even if they should.<\/p>\n

\u201cAstrid a remarqu<\/i>\u00e9 que Charles a bu <\/i>deux bouteilles de vin hier soir.\u201d<\/i>
\n“Astrid noticed that Charles drank two bottles of wine last night.”<\/p>\n

\u201cMon Dieu, il buvait comme un trou<\/strong>.”<\/em>
\n“Oh my God, he was drinking like a hole.”<\/i><\/p>\n

3. Ne rien savoir faire de ses dix doigts<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Not knowing how to do anything with your ten fingers<\/p>\n

Ne rien savoir faire de ses dix doigts<\/i>\u00a0means that somebody is completely useless.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n

Laisse tomber, il ne sait rien faire de ses dix doigts<\/strong>, celui-l\u00e0.<\/em>
\nForget about it, that guy is completely useless.<\/p>\n

4. Arriver comme un cheveu sur la soupe<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Arriving like a hair on the soup<\/p>\n

Arriver comme un cheveu sur la soupe<\/i>\u00a0refers to entering a situation at the most awkward moment possible.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n

Julien et Arnaud se disputaient quand je suis arriv\u00e9e – comme un cheveu sur la soupe<\/strong>.<\/em>
\nJulien and Arnaud were in the middle of a fight when I got there \u2013 at the most awkward moment.<\/p>\n

5. Mettre son grain de sel<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To put in one\u2019s grain of salt<\/p>\n

Mettre son grain de sel<\/i> means to give someone an unsolicited and unnecessary opinion. So, your mom offering you advice and feedback on your love life (or lack thereof) would be a perfect time to use this.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n

Encore une fois, elle a mis son grain de sel<\/strong>.<\/em>
\nOnce again, she offered an unsolicited opinion.<\/p>\n

6. Faire la grasse matin\u00e9e<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To have a fat morning<\/p>\n

Faire la grasse matin\u00e9e <\/i>means\u00a0to sleep in.<\/p>\n

J\u2019ai trop bu hier soir, alors aujourd\u2019hui, j\u2019ai fait la grasse <\/strong><\/i>matin\u00e9e.<\/strong><\/i>
\nI drank too much last night, so today I slept in.<\/p>\n

7. C\u2019est dommage<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> That’s a shame<\/p>\n

C\u2019est dommage<\/strong> que tu ne sois pas au courant.<\/i>
\nIt\u2019s too bad you\u2019re not up to speed.<\/p>\n

8. Coup de foudre<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> A strike of lightning<\/p>\n

Coup de foudre<\/i> literally translates to a strike of lightning, but actually refers to love at first sight.<\/p>\n

Quand je t’ai vu pour la premi\u00e8re fois, c’\u00e9tait le coup de foudre.<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe first time I saw you, I fell head over heels.<\/p>\n

9. Appeler un chat un chat<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Call a cat a cat<\/p>\n

Appeler<\/em> un chat un chat<\/i> is the equivalent of telling it like it is, or calling a spade a spade in English.<\/p>\n

“Attends, tu veux vraiment dire qu’il est stupide ?!<\/em>“
\n“Wait, do you actually think he’s stupid?!”<\/p>\n

“\u00c9coute, il faut appeler un chat un chat.<\/strong><\/em>“
\n“Listen, I’m just telling it like it is.”<\/p>\n

10. Je dis \u00e7a, je dis rien<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> I say that, I say nothing<\/p>\n

This phrase’s English counterpart is “just saying.” You would use this expression when giving your opinion but wanting to soften the blow a bit, or not assume total responsibility for it.<\/p>\n

Si on ne part pas maintenant, on n’arrivera pas au spectacle \u00e0 l’heure. Enfin, je dis \u00e7a, je dis rien.<\/strong><\/em>
\nIf we don’t leave now, we won’t get to the show on time. Just saying…<\/p>\n

11. Poser un lapin \u00e0 quelqu\u2019un<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To put a rabbit on somebody<\/p>\n

This French expression sounds as silly as its English equivalent\u2014to stand somebody up or to not show up for something that you\u2019ve planned.<\/p>\n

Je l\u2019ai attendue mais elle n’est jamais arriv\u00e9e \u2013 elle m\u2019a pos\u00e9 un lapin <\/strong><\/em>!
\nI waited for her but she never came – she stood me up!<\/p>\n

12. \u00c7a marche !<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> That works<\/p>\n

If you want to confirm that you’re on board for something, you can use this expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn se retrouve \u00e0 midi pour d\u00e9jeuner ?<\/em>“
\n\u201cLet’s meet at noon for lunch?”<\/p>\n

\u201cOui, \u00e7a marche <\/strong>!”<\/em>
\n“Yes, that works!”<\/p>\n

13. Sauter du coq \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e2ne<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To jump from the rooster to the donkey<\/p>\n

Sauter du coq \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e2ne<\/i> means to jump from topic to topic in conversation.<\/p>\n

Et, je saute du coq \u00e0 l’\u00e2ne<\/strong> mais\u2026
\n<\/i>And, this is completely unrelated but…<\/p>\n

14. \u00catre \u00e0 l\u2019ouest<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Being in the West<\/p>\n

\u00catre \u00e0 l\u2019ouest<\/i> refers to being completely crazy or out of it.<\/p>\n

Comme j\u2019avais mal dormi, j\u2019<\/strong><\/i>\u00e9tais compl<\/i>\u00e8tement <\/i><\/strong>\u00e0 l\u2019ouest<\/strong> toute la journ<\/i>\u00e9e.<\/i>
\nSince I had slept poorly, I was out of it for the whole day.<\/p>\n

15. La moutarde me monte au nez<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> The mustard is getting to my nose<\/p>\n

La moutarde me monte au nez <\/i>means that you’re getting angry.<\/p>\n

Quand elle se fait taquiner, on peut voir que la moutarde lui monte au nez <\/strong>!<\/em>
\nWhen she gets teased, you can see her getting angry!<\/p>\n

16. Ramener sa fraise<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To bring its strawberry<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let yourself be fooled by this \u201cto bring its strawberry\u201d idiom. This is the French version of \u201cto stick your nose into something,\u201d although it can also be used to invite someone to approach.<\/p>\n

Mon fr\u00e8re ram\u00e8ne constamment sa fraise<\/strong> alors qu\u2019on ne lui a rien demand\u00e9.<\/em>
\n“My brother is constantly sticking his nose in even though no one asked him anything.”<\/p>\n

Allez ! Ram\u00e8ne ta fraise <\/strong>!<\/em>
\n“Come on! Join us!”<\/p>\n

17. Prendre le melon<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Take the melon<\/p>\n

This one means “to be big-headed.”<\/p>\n

Depuis qu\u2019il\u00a0a obtenu sa promotion il a tellement pris le melon<\/strong> qu\u2019il en est devenu insupportable.<\/em>
\nEver since he got promoted, he\u2019s so big-headed that he\u2019s become unbearable.<\/p>\n

18. L\u00e2cher la grappe<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Let go of the bunch<\/p>\n

This is what someone might tell you if you won\u2019t stop bothering them. \u201cLet go of my bunches!\u201d or less literally, \u201cLeave me alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside of this idiom, \u201cgrappe\u201d<\/em> can mean a bunch of fruit or a group of people.<\/p>\n

“Madame, voulez-vous acheter un chapeau ?”<\/em>
\n<\/em>“Ma’am, do you want to buy a hat?”
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

“Non, l\u00e2chez-moi la grappe <\/strong>!<\/em>“
\n“No, leave me alone!”<\/p>\n

19. Compter pour des prunes<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Counting for plums<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know if the French have a particular reason to dislike plums, but this idiom translates as \u201cto count for nothing.”<\/p>\n

Pourquoi vous ne voulez pas m\u2019\u00e9couter ? Mon avis compte pour des prunes ?<\/strong><\/em>
\nWhy don\u2019t you listen to me? Does my opinion not count for anything?<\/p>\n

20. Porter ses fruits<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To bring its fruits<\/p>\n

This one even makes sense. Literally \u201cto bring its fruits,\u201d it is used when saying that something is becoming profitable, giving good results.<\/p>\n

Apr\u00e8s 6 mois de travail, l\u2019entreprise a commenc\u00e9 \u00e0 porter ses fruits.<\/em>
\nAfter 6 months of work, the company has started to produce results.<\/p>\n

21. \u00catre rouge comme une tomate<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To be red like a tomato<\/p>\n

Feeling ashamed? Then this is the idiom you are looking for! \u201cTo be red like a tomato.\u201d Pretty self-explanatory.<\/p>\n

La petite fille \u00e9tait rouge comme une tomate<\/strong> apr\u00e8s \u00eatre tomb\u00e9e dans la rue.<\/em>
\nThe little girl blushed after falling in the street.<\/p>\n

22. Ne pas avoir un radis<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To not have a radish<\/p>\n

Probably not something you\u2019d like to say very often, this phrase means \u201cto be dead broke.”<\/p>\n

Apr\u00e8s mes vacances en Australie, je n\u2019ai plus un radis <\/strong>!<\/em>
\nI\u2019m dead broke after my holidays in Australia.<\/p>\n

23. Se prendre le chou<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Take the cabbage<\/p>\n

This idiom refers to getting worried about something or overly complicating things.<\/p>\n

Ce n\u2019est pas la peine de se prendre\u00a0le chou<\/strong> pour un truc aussi b\u00eate !<\/em>
\nIt\u2019s not worth it to get overly worried about such a silly thing!<\/p>\n

24. Les carottes sont cuites<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> The carrots are cooked<\/p>\n

This is the kind of idiom you\u2019ll use when there\u2019s no hope left. When there\u2019s nothing else you can do about a certain situation, when \u201cthe carrots are already cooked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Il n\u2019y a plus rien \u00e0 faire, les carottes sont cuites.<\/strong><\/em>
\nThere\u2019s nothing left to do, it\u2019s over.<\/p>\n

25. Mettre du beurre dans les \u00e9pinards<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Put some butter on the spinach<\/p>\n

It might not seem so, but \u201cputting butter on the spinach\u201d has quite a specific meaning. It\u2019s frequently used to express the fact of needing to improve one\u2019s financial situation or income.<\/p>\n

Il va falloir mettre du beurre dans les \u00e9pinards<\/strong> si on veut faire le tour du monde l\u2019ann\u00e9e prochaine.<\/em>
\nWe will have to improve our income if we want to travel the world next year.<\/p>\n

26. Raconter des salades<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To tell salads<\/p>\n

This phrase simply means to talk nonsense, or \u201cdire\u00a0n\u2019importe quoi<\/em>\u201d<\/em>\u00a0which is literally \u201csay whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n

On en avait marre de lui car il n\u2019arr\u00eatait pas de raconter des salades.<\/strong><\/em>
\nWe were fed up with him because he wouldn\u2019t stop talking nonsense.<\/p>\n

27. Avoir un p\u00e9pin<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To have a pip<\/p>\n

As weird as it may sound, it\u2019s a straightforward idiom as well. It means to have a problem, something that is not going as expected, an issue, a glitch.<\/p>\n

Hier j\u2019ai eu un p\u00e9pin<\/strong> et je n\u2019ai pas pu d\u00e9marrer la voiture.<\/em>
\nThere was an issue with my car yesterday which prevented me from starting it.<\/p>\n

28. Avoir un pois chiche dans la t\u00eate<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To have a chickpea in the head<\/p>\n

This is the French equivalent to “have a pea-brain.”<\/p>\n

Ce gars-l\u00e0 ne comprend rien \u00e0 ce qu\u2019on lui dit, il a un pois chiche dans la t\u00eate.<\/strong><\/em>
\nThat guy doesn\u2019t understand anything we say to him, he\u2019s got a pea-brain.<\/p>\n

29. Avoir du bl\u00e9<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To have wheat<\/p>\n

This one literally means “to have wheat,” but actually is saying that you are very wealthy.<\/p>\n

Il a tellement de bl\u00e9<\/strong> qu\u2019il a pu s\u2019acheter une Mercedes.<\/em>
\nHe\u2019s got so much money that he\u2019s been able to buy a Mercedes.<\/p>\n

30. Avoir les yeux plus gros que le ventre<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To have eyes bigger than your stomach<\/p>\n

You’ve definitely heard this one before. This means “to have eyes bigger than your stomach,” which is a pretty common idiom in French and English.<\/p>\n

“Pourquoi nous avons command\u00e9 toute cette nourriture ?”<\/em>
\n“Why did we order all this food?”<\/p>\n

“Parce qu’on a eu <\/em>les yeux plus gros que le<\/em> ventre<\/em><\/strong>, c\u2019est pour \u00e7a <\/em>!”
\n“It\u2019s because we had eyes bigger than our stomachs, that\u2019s why!”<\/p>\n

31. Ne pas mettre tous ses \u0153ufs dans le m\u00eame panier<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Don’t put all your eggs in one basket<\/p>\n

This is another idiom that will be very familiar. It means “don’t put all of your eggs in the same basket.”<\/p>\n

“J\u2019ai un entretien d\u2019embauche demain !”<\/em>
\n“I have a job interview tomorrow!”<\/p>\n

“Ah ouais ? Tr\u00e8s bien ! Mais<\/em> ne mets pas tous tes \u0153ufs dans le m\u00eame panier <\/em><\/strong>!<\/strong>“<\/em>
\n“Oh yeah? Great! But don\u2019t put all your eggs in one basket!”<\/p>\n

32.<\/em>C\u2019est du g\u00e2teau<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> A piece of cake<\/p>\n

This one is the same in English as it is in French: “a piece of cake!”<\/p>\n

J\u2019ai fini ma th\u00e8se !<\/em> C\u2019\u00e9tait du g\u00e2teau <\/strong>!<\/strong>
\nI finished my thesis! It was a piece of cake!<\/p>\n

33. Mieux vaut tard que jamais<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Better late than never<\/p>\n

This is probably a favorite phrase of yours if you are a procrastinator. It means “better late than never.”<\/p>\n

“J\u2019ai un projet \u00e0 rendre que je n\u2019ai pas encore commenc\u00e9 !”
\n<\/em>“I have a report due that I still haven\u2019t started!”
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

“Mieux vaut tard que jamais !”
\n<\/em>“Better late than never!”<\/p>\n

34. Les actes valent mieux que les mots<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Actions are worth more than words<\/p>\n

Most English speakers tend to say \u201cactions speak louder<\/em> than words.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Oui, oui, je promets de tout faire tout seul \u00e0 partir d\u2019aujourd\u2019hui.”<\/em>
\n“Yes, yes, I promise to do everything on my own starting today.”<\/p>\n

“T\u2019es s\u00fbr ? <\/em>L<\/em>es actes valent mieux que les mots !<\/em><\/strong>“<\/em>
\n“You sure? Actions speak louder than words!”<\/p>\n

35. Plus facile \u00e0 dire qu\u2019\u00e0 faire<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Easier said than done<\/p>\n

This one means “easier said than done.”<\/p>\n

“Alors, tu m\u2019avais dit que tu allais commencer le jardinage cette semaine, qu\u2019est-ce qui s<\/em>\u2018est pass\u00e9 ?”<\/em>
\n“So, you told me you were going to begin the gardening this week, what happened?”<\/p>\n

“Ouais, je n\u2019ai pas eu le temps,<\/em> c\u2019est plus facile \u00e0 dire qu\u2019\u00e0 faire<\/strong>, mais je vais le faire, ne\u00a0t\u2019inqui\u00e8te\u00a0pas<\/em>.”
\n<\/em>“Yeah, I didn\u2019t have the time, it\u2019s easier said than done, but I\u2019ll do it, don\u2019t worry.”<\/p>\n

36. Ce n\u2019est pas ma tasse de th\u00e9<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> It’s not my cup of tea<\/p>\n

This idiom means “it’s not my cup of tea,” and you would use it just as you would in English.<\/p>\n

Merci pour l\u2019invitation,<\/strong> mais<\/em> ce n\u2019est pas ma tasse de th\u00e9.<\/em><\/strong>
\nThank you for the invitation, but it\u2019s not my cup of tea.<\/p>\n

37. J\u2019en ai jusque-l\u00e0<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> I have so far<\/p>\n

This one is favored by anyone who’s stressed and it means\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve had it up to here.\u201d This points out just how low your patience is.<\/p>\n

J\u2019en ai jusque-l\u00e0 !<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Je ne supporte plus ton comportement !<\/em>
\nI\u2019ve had it up to here! I\u2019m sick of your behavior!<\/p>\n

38. L\u2019avocat du diable<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Devil’s advocate<\/p>\n

A “devil’s advocate” is one who purposely plays a counterargument just for the sake of analyzing all sides of a situation.<\/p>\n

“Internet est une invention grandiose ! O\u00f9 serions-nous sans \u00e7a ?”<\/em>
\n“The Internet is a grandiose invention! Where would we be without it?”<\/p>\n

“Oui, mais \u00e7a doit cesser ! <\/em>Toute l\u2019\u00e9nergie utilis\u00e9e pour supporter Internet va d\u00e9truire notre plan\u00e8te\u2014je me fais juste l\u2019avocat du diable <\/strong>!<\/strong>“
\n<\/em>“Yes, but it needs to stop! All the energy used for sustaining the Internet is going to destroy our planet\u2014I\u2019m just playing devil\u2019s advocate!”<\/p>\n

39. Me passer sur le corps<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Pass over my body<\/p>\n

This translates to \u201cover my dead body,\u201d and it lets someone know it\u2019s not happening.<\/p>\n

“Je vais dire autant de gros mots que je veux !<\/em>“
\n“I\u2019m going to say as many bad words as I want!”<\/p>\n

“Non, il faudra me passer sur le corps <\/strong>d\u2019abord !”<\/em>
\n“No, over my dead body!”<\/p>\n

40. Cul sec<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Butt dry<\/p>\n

Cul sec !<\/em> is a common French nightlife<\/a> phrase to say, “bottoms up!” or “drink up!”, usually with the expectation of drinking the drink all in one shot.<\/p>\n

Cul sec<\/em> simply refers to\u2014as the English equivalent does\u2014what the bottom of a shot glass might look like (a bit on the dry side) after shooting it down your throat with squinted eyes.<\/p>\n

“Sant\u00e9 !”<\/em>
\n(Cheers!)<\/p>\n

“Cul sec !”<\/em><\/strong>
\n(Bottoms up!)<\/p>\n

41. T\u00eate dans le cul<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Head in\/up your butt<\/p>\n

T\u00eate dans le cul<\/em>\u00a0is an everyday French way to say, “still dreaming,” “still in bed” or “foggy” headed\/minded.<\/p>\n

It’s most notably said by parents to younger children whilst eating breakfast, unable to keep their eyes open.<\/p>\n

Qu’est-ce que\u00a0tu fais l\u00e0 ! T’as la t\u00eate dans le cul <\/strong><\/strong>?
\n<\/strong><\/em>(What are you doing! Are you fully awake?)<\/p>\n

42. Ras le cul<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Overflowing butt \/ butt filled up<\/p>\n

When you feel like “you’ve had it up to here” with learning French, or when you’re on your “last straw,” on “the verge” or on the “edge,”\u00a0ras le cul <\/em>is the perfect phrase to express those feelings:<\/p>\n

Ras le cul<\/strong> de toutes ces r\u00e8gles\u00a0de grammaire fran\u00e7aise !
\n<\/em>(I’ve had it up to here with all these French grammar rules!)<\/p>\n

A “softer” version that you could also use is ras le bol<\/strong><\/em>,<\/em><\/strong> which refers to an overflowing bowl rather than a butt.<\/p>\n

43. Et mon cul, c’est du poulet ?<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> And my butt, is it made of chicken?<\/p>\n

Fun fact: roosters (the gallic rooster) are the country’s national symbol, which is why poulet<\/strong><\/em> (chicken) is so popular in French culture and expression.<\/p>\n

This expression is a sarcastic one, and said in a tone that echoes “yeah, right!” or “in your dreams!”<\/p>\n

Our\u00a0English idiomatic equal would be, “I wasn’t born yesterday.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Oui, oui ! J’ai fait tous mes devoirs…”<\/em>
\n(Yes, yes! I’ve done all my homework…)<\/p>\n

“Et mon cul, c’est du poulet <\/em><\/strong>mon ch\u00e9ri ?”<\/em><\/em><\/em>
\n<\/em><\/strong>(I wasn’t born yesterday, my dear.)<\/p>\n

44. Avoir le cul bord\u00e9 de nouilles<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To have a butt full of noodles<\/p>\n

This is an every day saying for being “lucky” or “getting really lucky.”<\/p>\n

The English idiom equivalent to\u00a0avoir le cul bord\u00e9 nouilles<\/em>?<\/strong> would be something along the lines of “sitting pretty” or “luck of the draw.”<\/p>\n

T’as obtenu une augmentation de salaire aujourd’hui ? T’as<\/strong> vraiment\u00a0cul bord\u00e9 de nouilles <\/strong>!<\/strong><\/em>
\n(You got a raise today? Lucky you!)<\/p>\n

45. Dans le cul, Lulu<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> In the butt, Lulu<\/p>\n

Who is L<\/strong>ulu<\/strong><\/em>? Apparently, it’s attributed to every French person in existence. Or rather, a general population who’s blamed to be the source of “bad luck” for someone getting “screwed” or “finagled.”<\/p>\n

It’s an everyday French way to say “you got ripped off.”<\/p>\n

It might not sound too nice, but if you want to play the French part, try using the expression on yourself rather than others. It’ll definitely lighten up the mood, and you’ll come across as an advanced speaker.<\/p>\n

J’ai fait tomber mes clefs dans le caniveau,\u00a0dans le cul, Lulu !<\/strong><\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/em>(I dropped my keys in the gutter, dang!)<\/p>\n

46. \u00c0 se taper le cul par terre<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To bounce your butt on the floor<\/p>\n

This is a funny, everyday French way to say something is “funny” or “excellent!”<\/p>\n

C’est g\u00e9nial,<\/em><\/em> c’est\u00a0<\/em>\u00e0<\/b><\/em> se taper le cul par terre <\/em><\/strong>!<\/em><\/em><\/strong><\/em>
\n<\/em><\/strong>(It’s awesome, best thing since sliced bread!).<\/p>\n

47. Coinc\u00e9 du cul<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Stuck of\/in butt<\/p>\n

Like their English counterparts, the French have a friendly way of saying someone is a “stuck-up snob” or “uptight.” Just\u00a0reserve this one for close French friends or family!<\/p>\n

Elle est coinc\u00e9e du cul <\/em><\/strong>ou quoi<\/em> ?
\n(Is she a snob or what?)<\/p>\n

48. Cul-cul<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Butt-butt<\/p>\n

Cul-cul<\/em>\u00a0can also be spelled as cul cul<\/em><\/strong>, or cucul. <\/strong><\/em>It’s a French way to describe something that’s silly, corny or goofy. Imagine a silly comedy filled with clich\u00e9s and a ridiculously happy ending…that’s the type of thing that you’ll want to call cul-cul.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

“Ce film est nul<\/em> !”<\/em>
\n<\/em>(This movie is worthless.)<\/p>\n

“C’est vrai qu’il est un peu cul-cul.”<\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/em>(It’s true it’s a little silly.)<\/p>\n

49. Cul terreux<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:\u00a0<\/strong>Butt dirt<\/p>\n

A cul terreux <\/em>is a\u00a0“farmer,” “field worker” or someone who loves and lives off the land (agriculture).<\/p>\n

Like our English equivalents, such as “sweat back” and “redneck,” this phrase holds negative connotations. But you never know when you might run into it.<\/p>\n

Now you’ll know that you should be properly offended by the term, rather than nodding and smiling in agreement while assuming that you understand.<\/p>\n

J’\u00e9tais au march\u00e9, il y avait beaucoup de cul terreux<\/strong>.<\/em>
\n(I went to the street market, and there were a lot of rednecks.).<\/p>\n

50. Faux cul<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Fake butt<\/p>\n

Faux cul<\/em> is one of those self-evident French phrases, but it doesn’t refer to butt implants. Faux cul<\/em> depicts someone fake or a hypocrite, and we know there’s a ton of those in all languages.<\/p>\n

C’est un<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>faux cul.<\/strong><\/em>
\n(He’s a hypocrite.)<\/p>\n

Plus faux cul<\/strong> que \u00e7a et tu meurs!
\n<\/em>(You can’t be any more fake than that!)<\/p>\n

51. P\u00e9ter plus haut que son cul<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To fart higher than your own butt<\/p>\n

This phrase is used to point out people who are “arrogant” or “conceited.”<\/p>\n

P\u00e9ter plus haut que son cul<\/em> would be the French way to say “don’t think your smell don’t stink” or “to be too big for one’s boots.”<\/p>\n

If someone is acting aloof and shooting off rude insults about your language skills, kill them with this:<\/p>\n

Arr\u00eate du p\u00e9ter plus haut que ton cul !<\/strong><\/em>
\n(Stop acting like your smell don’t stink!).<\/p>\n

52. Avoir le cul entre deux chaises<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To have your butt between two chairs<\/p>\n

This French phrase means to be “stuck in the middle.”<\/p>\n

It refers to being caught in a dilemma or problem, or feeling caught\u2014kind of like that feeling you get when you’re tongue-tied from switching back and forth between English and French. Avoir le cul entre deux\u00a0chaises\u00a0<\/em>can be a\u00a0physical feeling, but an emotional one as well.<\/p>\n

\u00c0 cause de \u00e7a, j’ai le\u00a0cul entre deux chaises<\/strong><\/em> !<\/em>
\n<\/em>(Because of that, I’m stuck in the middle!).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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