Food idioms
Pain, fromage, haricots, beurre
In a country obsessed with food, half the idioms are edible. Tap one to hear it.
French and English side by side
Quand on parle du loup…
The same idea, often with a different animal or object. Read each row across.
| French | Word for word | English idiom |
|---|---|---|
| Quand on parle du loup… | when one speaks of the wolf | Speak of the devil… |
| la cerise sur le gâteau | the cherry on the cake | the icing on the cake |
| avoir une araignée au plafond | to have a spider on the ceiling | to have a screw loose |
| être serrés comme des sardines | to be packed like sardines | packed like sardines |
| petit à petit, l’oiseau fait son nid | little by little the bird makes its nest | Rome wasn’t built in a day |
| coûter la peau des fesses | to cost the skin of the buttocks | to cost an arm and a leg |
| il n’y a pas de quoi fouetter un chat | there’s nothing to whip a cat for | it’s no big deal |
Proverbs the French quote
Qui vivra verra
Proverbs are full sentences of folk wisdom, often shortened to their first half in conversation.
Quiwhovivrawill-liveverra.will-see
“Time will tell.”Literally “who will live will see”.
L’habitthe habitne fait pasdoesn’t makele moine.the monk
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”A robe doesn’t make you a monk.
Mieuxbettervautis-worthtardlateque jamais.than never
“Better late than never.”Identical to English.
Il ne faut pasone must notvendresellla peau de l’oursthe skin of the bearavant de l’avoir tué.before having killed it
“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”A bear version of the chickens.
Touteverythingvientcomesà pointon timeà qui sait attendre.to who knows to-wait
“Good things come to those who wait.”Often shortened to Tout vient à point.
Using idioms in real sentences
J’ai la flemme, j’avais la flemme
The fixed part stays the same; only the verb changes for person and tense, and articles shrink after negatives where the grammar requires.
Presentzhay la FLEM · “I can’t be bothered.”
J’aiI-havela flemme.the laziness
Imperfectzha-VAY la FLEM · “I couldn’t be bothered.”
J’avaisI-hadla flemme.the laziness
Negativezhuh nay PA la FLEM · “I’m up for it.”
JeIn’ainot-havepasnotla flemme.the laziness
Passé composéel a do-NAY sa LONG o SHA · “She gave up guessing.”
Elleshea donnéhas givensa langueher tongueau chat.to-the cat
Work idioms
Avoir du pain sur la planche
Lots to dozhay dü PAN sür la PLANSH · “I’ve got a lot on my plate.”“Bread on the board”: work waiting to be done.
J’aiI-havedu painbreadsur la planche.on the board
Working hardeel BOS kom an FOO · “He works like crazy.”bosser = to work (informal).
Ilhebosseworkscomme un fou.like a madman
Slackingel suh TOORN lay POOS · “She’s twiddling her thumbs.”Doing nothing at work.
Elleshese tourneturnsles pouces.the thumbs
Finishedsay dan la POSH · “It’s in the bag.”A deal or result that is certain.
C’estit-isdans la poche.in the pocket
Money idioms
Être fauché comme les blés
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