Thursday, March 5, 2020

15 French Idioms Funny Phrases (+ What They Really Mean)

15 French Idioms Funny Phrases (+ What They Really Mean) Megan L. Just like in English, there are a lot of French idioms and phrases that dont quite translate. Some are fairly easy to figure out (for example, someone who drinks like a hole, is drinking a great deal). Others are less obvious, especially when you are just starting to learn French. Here are some of the strangest French idioms and phrases youre likely to come across in an otherwise normal conversation. 15 French Idioms Funny Phrases 1. Coup de  foudre Only in French is it a good thing to be hit by a strike of lightning it means love at first sight, which is known to have some of the same symptoms, though you can usually tell them apart! 2. Avoir  le  cafard While having a cockroach is certainly not most peoples idea of a good time, this phrase goes a little further than that. It means to be downright depressed. 3. Avoir  une  peur  bleue Some French idioms simply dont make sense. Being ordinarily frightened is just avoir peur, but when you need to express serious pop-quiz-level terror, you have a blue fear in French. 4. Avoir  un  poil  dans  la main To have a hair in ones hand means to be very lazy, as if you do so little with your hands that hair could start growing from the palm. 5. Donner la  langue  au chat If you give your tongue to the cat when presented with a riddle or other tricky question, youve given up and admitted defeat. What the cat does with it then is anybodys guess. 6. Être  sorti  de  lauberge Where English-speakers say out of the woods to mean having handled your problems, French-speakers say out of the inn. Are the inns in France really so bad that the woods are preferable? 7. Faire la  tête Literally to make the head, this phrase means to pout. It can be a slightly cute or affectionate way of asking if someones upset with you. 8. La fin des  haricots When something is the end of the beans, its the equivalent of saying the last straw. Either way, the frustrated person might say the next phrase on this list of French idioms RELATED VIDEO: Must-Know French Slang Words Phrases 9. La  moutarde  me  monte  au  nez Mustard rising to your nose means that youre getting angry, as a result making a face like someone whos just eaten strong mustard. Steam coming out of your ears is optional. 10. Les  carrottes  sont  cuites In English, your goose is cooked when youre done for; in French, its carrots. In either case, you cant take it back now. 11. Les  doigts  dans  le  nez This is one of the funniest phrases on this list of French idioms. If somethings so easy you could do it with your fingers in your nose, you could probably also do it with one hand behind your back, possibly even both at once! 12. Mettre  son grain de  sel Someone who insists on putting in their grain of salt cant let a topic go without offering their opinion, whether its asked for or not. 13. Poser un lapin If youve been left a rabbit, that means youve been stood up for a date or meeting. If it helps, the connection between rabbits and poor date etiquette isnt clear in French either. 14. Sauter  du cog  Ã   lâne Literally to jump from rooster to donkey, this phrase means jumping from topic to an unrelated topic. Cruelty to barn animals is not necessary. 15. More French Idioms and Sayings! Cant get enough? Check out the video below for even more funny French idioms and expressions. Want to learn more French idioms and work on your language learning skills? Taking private lessons with a French tutor is the best way to improve your skills and reach your goals. Study with a tutor in-person or take online lessons. Find your French tutor today! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

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