TutorExtra TutorExtra UK
  • Log In
  • Register as
    • Parent, Student Tutor, Teacher, Instructor Personal Trainer, Coach Babysitter, Nanny
      School, Learning Centre Childcare, Daycare Centre Sports, Health Centre
  • Register as
  • Subjects
    • Categories
      Popular
      View All Subjects...
      Academic
      Accounting Maths Art History Physics Geography Chemistry Environmental Chemistry More subjects...
      Languages
      English German French Spanish Japanese Chinese Russian Italian More subjects...
      IT and Software
      3D Studio Max Adobe Photoshop Javascript Microsoft Excel MySQL C/C++ Web Design Computer Literacy More subjects...
      Sports and Health
      Fitness Football Kickboxing Personal Training Pilates Weight Loss Yoga Golf More subjects...
      Music
      Drum Guitar General Music Music Performance Music Theory Piano Ukulele Harp More subjects...
      Dance and Theatre
      Dance Child Acting Classical Ballet English Waltz Salsa Tango Theatre Acting Folk Dances More subjects...
      Test Preparation
      ACT AP Exam Prep Bar Exam IELTS ISEE SAT TOEFL ACCUPLACER More subjects...
      Other
      Kids' activities Pre-school Education Organisation Sewing Special Education Study Skills Time Management DIY More subjects...
      Most popular subjects
  • Courses
  • Blog
  • Why Us
Home
Blog
11 French Idioms and their English Equivalents
Blog archive
All Blog posts
2024
06 (3)
07 (5)
08 (4)
09 (4)
10 (5)
11 (4)
12 (5)
2025
01 (4)
02 (6)
03 (5)
04 (5)
05 (5)
06 (1)
Blog + Suggest an article
28/12/2022

11 French Idioms and their English Equivalents


Do natives really use idioms in their everyday life?

Absolutely! Idioms come up in conversations all the time, and they’re a great way to express yourself quickly and with personality. Just like English speakers rely on expressions like “raining cats and dogs” or “break a leg”, French people have their own list of lively sayings. Although some of these idioms may look a bit strange to you at first, natives use them all the time! Wondering how to start learning French? Idioms are an interesting opportunity for sure. To make things easier, we've compiled a list of some of the most commonly used French expressions and explained what they mean.

Do natives really use idioms in their everyday life

11 interesting French idioms to learn:

Faire la grasse matinée

This idiom literally translates to "to do the fat morning", but what does it really mean? Well, this idiom is used when someone wants to say that they slept in late. So next time your french friend tells you they had a long sleep, don't be alarmed! 

Coup de foudre

The phrase "coup de foudre" is one of the most well-known and widespread French idioms, and it translates directly to "thunderbolt" in English. It is used to describe a sudden strong feeling of love or attraction at first sight. This expression suggests that when two people meet, they have an instant connection and a sudden realisation that they are meant to be together.

Boire comme un trou

The best way to translate this expression in English is “to drink like a fish.” It is used to express someone who drinks alcohol excessively and without moderation. 

Il fait un froid de canard

Just like everyone else, the French language also has plenty of idioms about the weather. A popular one is “Il fait un froid de canard” which literally means “It's as cold as a duck”! This phrase is typically used when it's extremely cold outside.

Appeler un chat un chat

This expression is used to express the idea of calling something what it really is. Literally translated, it means "to call a cat a cat". The phrase implies that you should be honest and forthright when describing things.

Avoir la moutarde me monte au nez

This idiom is used to convey the sentiment of becoming angry when someone does something wrong or unfair. It literally translates to "the mustard has climbed up my nose" and is used in situations where one feels so frustrated that they are nearly ready to 'blow their stack'. 

Tomber dans les pommes

If you've ever heard a French person use the idiom "Tomber dans les pommes," it might have thrown you for a loop. Fortunately, the meaning of this saying is easy to remember. It translates quite literally to "fall into the apples", and it's used to indicate an instance where someone faints or passes out!

Être dans la lune

This expression literally means "to be in the moon". This expression describes someone who appears to be lost in their own thoughts, as if they were not on Earth, but instead somewhere up in the sky. 

Ta gueule

It’s very possible to hear a Frenchman utter the phrase “Ta guele,” it’s likely that you were left feeling rather confused. Translating directly to “your throat,” this French idiom is used as an exclamation of disbelief or dismay. It’s commonly used in response to something outrageous or illogical, similar to the English expression “You have got to be kidding me!”

Ça coûte un bras

If you hear the phrase "Ça coûte un bras" it means something is very expensive. This is an example of a french idiom that shows cost and value as related to body parts, with the idea being that something might cost so much that it's like having to give up an arm!

Avoir le cafard

This literally translates to "to have the cockroach". It's used to describe someone who is feeling down, discouraged, or depressed. In English, its closest equivalent would be "to have the blues".

Start sharing! You can publish this article on your website and social media, providing you credit TutorExtra as the author and include a valid and visible link back to this page.
Tweet
Register on TutorExtra as a:
Parent, Student
Tutor, Teacher, Instructor
Personal Trainer, Coach
Babysitter, Nanny
School, Learning Centre
Childcare, Daycare Centre
Sports, Health Centre
Suggest an article in TutorExtra
An article will be published after approval by the team of TutorExtra.
Send
TutorExtra TutorExtra logo


The Tutors' Association
Home
Courses
Jobs
Blog
Why Us
How It Works
Terms of Use
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
Safety Centre
TutorExtra Global
Partners
Sitemap
Contacts
Looking for
Tutors
Teachers
Instructors
Driving Instructors
Personal Trainers
Coaches
Instructors
Babysitters
Nannies
Nurses
Au Pairs
Date Night Sitters
Childminders
Creches
Schools
Learning Centres
Preschools
Primary Schools
Secondary Schools
Private Schools
Colleges
Universities
Academies
Language Schools
Speciality Schools
Faith Schools
Free Schools
Boarding Schools
Education Centres
Tutoring Centres
Tuition Centres
Childcare Centres
Daycare Centres
Preschools
Nursery Schools
Montessori Schools
Sports Centres
Health Centres
Health Clubs
Training Centres
Contacts
TutorExtra Ltd
The Archive Centre
Honeywood Road
Dover, Kent CT16 3EH, UK
contact@tutorextra.co.uk
Company Number: 11221237
Telephone: 01304 279856
VAT: GB473199559
tiktok

Copyright © TutorExtra, 2025
TutorExtra UK message