FUNNY FRENCH PHRASES: Here is a list of French idioms in use
\nrelatively recently in Paris. We thought you’d like them…. <\/p>\n
FRENCH PHRASE, followed by Literal Translation, followed by
\n(English Equivalent):<\/p>\n
AH LA VACHE!
\n Oh, my Cow! (Good God!)<\/p>\n
C’EST LA FIN DES HARICOTS.
\n It’s the finish of the green beans. (It’s hopeless.)<\/p>\n
POSER UN LAPIN.
\n To leave a rabbit. (To stand someone up.)<\/p>\n
AVOIR LE GUEULE DE BOIS.
\n To have a wooden face. (Have a hangover)<\/p>\n
FAIRE UN TABAC.
\n Make a tobacco. (Be the toast of the town.)<\/p>\n
FAIRE UN BOEUF.
\n Make a beef. (Improvise [as a jam session.])<\/p>\n
METTRE LES VOILES.
\n Put on the sails. (To split.)<\/p>\n
SE FAIRE UNE TOILE.
\n To make a fabric. (Go to the movies.)<\/p>\n
COMME UN CHEVEAU SUR LA SOUPE.
\n Like a hair in the soup. (Something out of context.)<\/p>\n
FAIRE UN BIDE.
\n To make a big belly. (To fail, flop.)<\/p>\n
BOIRE COMME UN TROU.
\n Drink like a hole. (Get smashed.)<\/p>\n
PRENDRE LE TAUREAU PAR LES CORNES.
\n Take the bull by the horns. (To face a problem.)<\/p>\n
PRENDRE SON PIED.
\n Take his foot. (It was swell.)<\/p>\n
C’EST LE BOUQUET.
\n That’s the bouquet. (That’s the limit.)<\/p>\n
J’EN AI RAS-LE-BOL.
\n My bowl is overflowing. (I can’t take it any more.)<\/p>\n
LES CAROTTES SONT CUITES.
\n The carrots are cooked. (I’ve had it!)<\/p>\n
FAIRE LE PIED DE GRUE.
\n To make like a flamingo stands. (To wait.)<\/p>\n
MARCHER A COTE DE SES POMPES.
\n To walk next to your shoes. (To be out of it.)<\/p>\n
CHERCHER DES PUCES.
\n To look for fleas. (To bug someone.)<\/p>\n
ARRETE TON CHAR.
\n Stop your chariot. (Stop it!!)<\/p>\n
SE FENDRE LA PIPE.
\n To break the pipe. (To laugh.)<\/p>\n
METTTRE LES PETITS PLATS DANS LES GRANDS.
\n Put the little plates in the big ones. (Putting on the dog.)<\/p>\n
SE FARCUR.
\n To be stuffed. (To be bored.)<\/p>\n
ETRE A LA COLLE.
\n To be glued. (To have a romantic adventure.)<\/p>\n
ETRE UN BON COUP.
\n To be a good hit. (To be good in bed.)<\/p>\n
CIEL, MON MARI!
\n Sky, my husband! (Caught in the act!)<\/p>\n
(Sorry about the lack of accent marks…we’re working on that!)<\/p>\n
