The first time I tried using a French idiom in real life, I proudly told a Parisian friend that I was au bout du rouleau… except I said it like au bout du roule and completely swallowed the last syllable. He stared at me, then asked if I was talking about… a roll of toilet paper.
Good news: once I learned a handful of expressions idiomatiques /ɛk.spʁɛ.sjɔ̃ i.djɔ.ma.tik/ — idiomatic expressions — native speakers started reacting very differently. Less “aww, cute foreign yak” and more “oh, you really live in French a bit.”
This guide gives you 100+ high-frequency idioms you’ll actually hear in everyday France French, plus how to pronounce and use them without breaking your tongue (or your dignity).
Quick Primer: What Makes An Idiom… Idiomatic?
On first mentions:
- une expression idiomatique /yn ɛk.spʁɛ.sjɔ̃ i.djɔ.ma.tik/ — an idiomatic expression
- au pied de la lettre /o pje də la lɛtʁ/ — literally, word for word
- le sens figuré /lə sɑ̃ fi.ɡy.ʁe/ — figurative meaning
French idioms are expressions where:
- The literal meaning makes little or no sense in context.
- You have to know the figurative meaning to understand what’s going on.
For example:
- avoir le cafard /a.vwaʁ lə ka.faʁ/ — literally “to have the cockroach”
→ idiomatic meaning: to feel down, to have the blues
Trying to translate idioms au pied de la lettre — literally — is how you end up asking your date if they want to “cut the pear in two” instead of “split the bill.”
So here’s the plan:
- Short, clear tables with French | IPA | English meaning (with literal nuggets where fun).
- Little stories and notes on when they’re casual, strong, or family-friendly.
- A practice plan so these don’t stay stuck on the page.
Everyday Feelings & Reactions
These are idioms you’ll hear constantly in casual conversations.
| French | IPA | English |
| avoir le cafard | a.vwaʁ lə ka.faʁ | to feel down, to have the blues (lit. to have the cockroach) |
| avoir la pêche | a.vwaʁ la pɛʃ | to feel great, full of energy (lit. to have the peach) |
| péter les plombs | pe.te le plɔ̃ | to lose it, to go crazy (lit. to blow the fuses) |
| en avoir marre | ɑ̃n‿a.vwaʁ maʁ | to be fed up |
| en avoir ras-le-bol | ɑ̃n‿a.vwaʁ ʁal.bɔl | to be totally sick of something |
| tomber des nues | tɔ̃.be de ny | to be stunned, very surprised (lit. to fall from the clouds) |
| être à côté de la plaque | ɛtʁ a ko.te də la plak | to be totally off, way off base |
| ça m’est égal | sa mɛ.te.ɡal | I don’t care, it’s all the same to me |
| avoir le cœur gros | a.vwaʁ lə kœʁ ɡʁo | to feel heavy-hearted, sad |
| garder la tête froide | ɡaʁ.de la tɛt fʁwad | to keep a cool head |
Usage notes:
- en avoir marre is very common and neutral-informal. en avoir ras-le-bol is stronger: think “I’ve really had it.”
- péter les plombs is quite informal but extremely common; don’t use it in a job interview.
- être à côté de la plaque is perfect when someone completely misunderstood something.
Everyday Life, Small Talk & Time
These idioms sound casual and very French in day-to-day talk.
| French | IPA | English |
| ça marche | sa maʁʃ | that works, sounds good |
| ça roule | sa ʁul | that works, all good (lit. it rolls) |
| c’est pas la mer à boire | sɛ pa la mɛʁ a bwaʁ | it’s not a big deal (lit. it’s not like you have to drink the sea) |
| c’est du gâteau | sɛ dy ɡa.to | it’s very easy, a piece of cake |
| ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard | sa nə kas pa tʁwa pat‿a œ̃ ka.naʁ | it’s nothing special (lit. it doesn’t break three legs of a duck) |
| avoir tout son temps | a.vwaʁ tu sɔ̃ tɑ̃ | to have plenty of time |
| courir après le temps | ku.ʁiʁ a.pʁɛ lə tɑ̃ | to be always rushed, short on time |
| remettre à plus tard | ʁə.mɛtʁ a ply taʁ | to postpone, put off |
| prendre son temps | pʁɑ̃dʁ sɔ̃ tɑ̃ | to take one’s time |
| être pressé comme un citron | ɛtʁ pʁe.se kɔm œ̃ si.tʁɔ̃ | to be squeezed / overused (lit. pressed like a lemon) |
Usage notes:
- ça marche and ça roule are your go-to “okay!” idioms.
- c’est pas la mer à boire is perfect when someone is stressing too much about a small task.
- ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard sounds very native and slightly playful; use it for underwhelming things: a meh movie, a bland restaurant.
Work, School & Problems
If you ever work, study, or complain in French, these are gold.
| French | IPA | English |
| mettre la main à la pâte | mɛtʁ la mɛ̃ a la pat | to pitch in, help actively |
| avoir du pain sur la planche | a.vwaʁ dy pɛ̃ syʁ la plɑ̃ʃ | to have a lot of work (lit. bread on the board) |
| ce n’est pas gagné | sə nɛ pa ɡa.nje | it’s not a done deal |
| être dans le pétrin | ɛtʁ dɑ̃ lə pe.tʁɛ̃ | to be in trouble (lit. in the dough) |
| remettre les pendules à l’heure | ʁə.mɛtʁ le pɑ̃.dyl a lœʁ | to set things straight (lit. reset the clocks) |
| faire d’une pierre deux coups | fɛʁ dyn pjɛʁ dø ku | to kill two birds with one stone |
| tirer son épingle du jeu | ti.ʁe sɔ̃n‿e.pɛ̃ɡl dy ʒø | to come out on top, handle it cleverly |
| être au pied du mur | ɛtʁ o pje dy myʁ | to be forced to act, up against the wall |
| mettre la barre haut | mɛtʁ la baʁ o | to set the bar high |
| tomber à l’eau | tɔ̃.be a lo | to fall through, be cancelled |
Usage notes:
- avoir du pain sur la planche is very common; I hear it constantly in offices.
- tirer son épingle du jeu sounds clever and positive: someone managed well in a tricky situation.
- être dans le pétrin is informal but not vulgar; safe to use at work.
People, Relationships & Social Life
These idioms are perfect for gossip, friendships, and describing people.
| French | IPA | English |
| avoir le coup de foudre | a.vwaʁ lə ku də fudʁ | to fall in love at first sight (lit. to have a lightning strike) |
| s’entendre comme chien et chat | sɑ̃.tɑ̃dʁ kɔm ʃjɛ̃ e ʃa | to fight like cats and dogs |
| être sur la même longueur d’onde | ɛtʁ syʁ la mɛm lɔ̃.ɡœʁ d‿ɔ̃d | to be on the same wavelength |
| couper les ponts | ku.pe le pɔ̃ | to cut all ties |
| mettre de l’eau dans son vin | mɛtʁ də lo dɑ̃ sɔ̃ vɛ̃ | to tone it down, make concessions |
| mettre son grain de sel | mɛtʁ sɔ̃ ɡʁɛ̃ də sɛl | to add one’s two cents (often unwanted) |
| tourner autour du pot | tuʁ.ne o.tuʁ dy po | to beat around the bush |
| avoir un faible pour quelqu’un | a.vwaʁ œ̃ fɛbl puʁ kɛl.kœ̃ | to have a soft spot for someone |
| avoir quelqu’un dans la peau | a.vwaʁ kɛl.kœ̃ dɑ̃ la po | to be crazy about someone (lit. to have them in your skin) |
| passer un savon à quelqu’un | pa.se œ̃ sa.vɔ̃ a kɛl.kœ̃ | to scold someone strongly |
Usage notes:
- mettre de l’eau dans son vin is a nice way to say “calm down / be more reasonable” without sounding harsh.
- tourner autour du pot is great when someone won’t get to the point.
- passer un savon is informal; don’t use it to your boss, only about your boss.
Money, Success & Failure
Money talk in French is full of colorful expressions.
| French | IPA | English |
| ça coûte un bras | sa kut œ̃ bʁa | it costs an arm and a leg |
| jeter l’argent par les fenêtres | ʒə.te laʁ.ʒɑ̃ paʁ le fənɛtʁ | to waste money (lit. throw money out the windows) |
| être fauché comme les blés | ɛtʁ fo.ʃe kɔm le ble | to be broke (lit. mown like wheat) |
| rouler sur l’or | ʁu.le syʁ lɔʁ | to be rolling in money |
| avoir les moyens | a.vwaʁ le mwa.jɛ̃ | to be able to afford it |
| mettre de côté | mɛtʁ də ko.te | to put money aside, save |
| tomber à pic | tɔ̃.be a pik | to arrive at just the right moment |
| faire un tabac | fɛʁ œ̃ ta.ba | to be a big hit (lit. make a tobacco) |
| être dans le rouge | ɛtʁ dɑ̃ lə ʁuʒ | to be in the red, overdrawn |
| être sur la paille | ɛtʁ syʁ la paj | to be completely broke (lit. on the straw) |
Usage notes:
- ça coûte un bras is very common and informal.
- faire un tabac is often used for shows, movies, videos that are a huge success.
- être fauché is casual; avoid in formal writing, fine in speech.
Food & Animal Idioms (Very French, Very Fun)
French loves turning nourriture /nu.ʁi.tyʁ/ and animaux /a.ni.mo/ into idioms.
| French | IPA | English |
| avoir un appétit d’oiseau | a.vwaʁ œ̃n‿a.pe.ti dwazo | to eat very little (lit. bird appetite) |
| avoir un appétit d’ogre | a.vwaʁ œ̃n‿a.pe.ti dɔɡʁ | to eat a lot (lit. ogre appetite) |
| raconter des salades | ʁa.kɔ̃.te de sa.lad | to tell lies, nonsense |
| les carottes sont cuites | le ka.ʁɔt sɔ̃ kɥit | it’s all over, the situation is done |
| ce n’est pas ma tasse de thé | sə nɛ pa ma tas də te | it’s not my cup of tea |
| avoir un cœur d’artichaut | a.vwaʁ œ̃ kœʁ daʁ.ti.ʃo | to fall in love easily (lit. artichoke heart) |
| être serrés comme des sardines | ɛtʁ se.ʁe kɔm de saʁ.din | to be packed like sardines |
| poser un lapin | po.ze œ̃ la.pɛ̃ | to stand someone up (not show up) |
| quand les poules auront des dents | kɑ̃ le pul o.ʁɔ̃ de dɑ̃ | when pigs fly (lit. when hens have teeth) |
| avoir d’autres chats à fouetter | a.vwaʁ dotʁ ʃa a fwɛ.te | to have other fish to fry (lit. other cats to whip) |
Usage notes:
- poser un lapin is extremely common: your friend didn’t show → il m’a posé un lapin.
- quand les poules auront des dents is playful and a bit old-fashioned but still used.
- raconter des salades is informal and fun: literally “telling salads.”
“Sound Super Native” Idioms You’ll Hear All The Time
These are the ones I hear daily in cafés, metros, and group chats.
| French | IPA | English |
| ça me prend la tête | sa mə pʁɑ̃ la tɛt | it’s really getting on my nerves |
| c’est pas gagné | sɛ pa ɡa.nje | it’s far from done, not easy |
| c’est pas possible | sɛ pa pɔ.si.bl | this is crazy / I can’t believe it |
| n’importe quoi | nɛ̃.pɔʁtə kwa | nonsense, ridiculous |
| laisser tomber | lɛ.se tɔ̃.be | forget it, drop it |
| tant pis | tɑ̃ pi | too bad, never mind |
| tant mieux | tɑ̃ mjø | even better, great |
| se débrouiller | sə de.bʁu.je | to manage, figure things out |
| c’est pas mon truc | sɛ pa mɔ̃ tʁyk | it’s not my thing |
| ça se voit | sa sə vwa | it shows |
These are less “idioms” in the strict dictionary sense and more everyday fixed expressions, but they’re crucial to sounding natural.
Usage Notes & Common Mistakes With Idioms
- Using idioms in the wrong register
Some are very informal (péter les plombs, ça me prend la tête); avoid them in professional emails or exams. - Over-loading every sentence with idioms
One well-placed idiom = native-like. Ten per paragraph = “I swallowed a dictionary”. - Translating English idioms directly
“It’s not my cup of tea” doesn’t become ce n’est pas ma tasse de thé in everyday French as often as English; it exists, but French has many other options (c’est pas mon truc, c’est pas pour moi). - Forgetting the figurative meaning
Always learn:
- the French idiom
- its literal image
- its real meaning
- the French idiom
- The image helps you remember, but don’t use the literal translation in English sentences; it will confuse people.
Region Notes: France vs The Rest Of La Francophonie
On first mention:
- l’argot /laʁ.ɡo/ — slang
Most idioms in this list are safe standard or widely used France French. But:
- Some very colorful expressions vary by region or generation.
- Youth argot can change fast; idioms like avoir le seum /a.vwaʁ lə sœm/ (to be really annoyed) are very current but more slangy and not in this “core 100+” list.
- In Québec, Belgium, Switzerland, and Africa, you’ll find idioms specific to those regions.
If you’re heading to France, this list will already carry you through most everyday conversations. Once you’re there, your ears will naturally pick up local extras.
Mini Dialogues Using French Idioms
Each line: French, IPA, then natural English.
1. Making Plans & Reacting
On se voit à 19h devant le cinéma ?
/ɔ̃ sə vwa a di.znœv œʁ də.vɑ̃ lə si.ne.ma/
Shall we meet at 7 pm in front of the cinema?
Oui, ça marche.
/wi sa maʁʃ/
Yeah, that works.
Et si tu es en retard, je te passe un savon.
/e si ty ɛ ɑ̃ ʁə.taʁ ʒə tə pas œ̃ sa.vɔ̃/
And if you’re late, I’ll give you a serious telling-off.
T’inquiète, je vais garder la tête froide.
/tɛ̃.kjɛt ʒə vɛ ɡaʁ.de la tɛt fʁwad/
Don’t worry, I’ll keep a cool head.
2. Bad Day At Work
Tu as l’air crevé, ça va ?
/ty a lɛʁ kʁə.ve sa va/
You look exhausted, you okay?
J’ai du pain sur la planche, et mon chef me prend la tête.
/ʒe dy pɛ̃ syʁ la plɑ̃ʃ e mɔ̃ ʃɛf mə pʁɑ̃ la tɛt/
I’ve got tons of work, and my boss is driving me crazy.
Courage, tu vas tirer ton épingle du jeu.
/ku.ʁaʒ ty va ti.ʁe tɔ̃n‿e.pɛ̃ɡl dy ʒø/
Hang in there, you’ll come out on top.
J’espère, sinon je vais péter les plombs.
/ʒɛ.spɛʁ si.nɔ̃ ʒə vɛ pe.te le plɔ̃/
I hope so, otherwise I’m going to lose it.
3. Love & Disappointment
Alors, ton rendez-vous d’hier ?
/a.lɔʁ tɔ̃ ʁɑ̃.de.vu djɛʁ/
So, your date yesterday?
Laisse tomber… il m’a posé un lapin.
/lɛs tɔ̃.be il ma po.ze œ̃ la.pɛ̃/
Forget it… he stood me up.
Ah non, ça, c’est vraiment nul.
/a nɔ̃ sa sɛ vʁɛ.mɑ̃ nyl/
Oh no, that really sucks.
Ouais, j’en ai marre, mais les carottes sont cuites.
/wɛ ʒɑ̃.n‿e maʁ mɛ le ka.ʁɔt sɔ̃ kɥit/
Yeah, I’m fed up, but it’s over now.
Quick Reference: 40 “Most Useful” Idioms To Screenshot
| French | IPA | English |
| avoir le cafard | a.vwaʁ lə ka.faʁ | to feel down |
| avoir la pêche | a.vwaʁ la pɛʃ | to feel great |
| en avoir marre | ɑ̃n‿a.vwaʁ maʁ | to be fed up |
| péter les plombs | pe.te le plɔ̃ | to lose it |
| tomber des nues | tɔ̃.be de ny | to be stunned |
| être à côté de la plaque | ɛtʁ a ko.te də la plak | to be way off |
| ça marche | sa maʁʃ | that works |
| ça roule | sa ʁul | that works, cool |
| c’est du gâteau | sɛ dy ɡa.to | it’s easy |
| c’est pas la mer à boire | sɛ pa la mɛʁ a bwaʁ | it’s not a big deal |
| avoir du pain sur la planche | a.vwaʁ dy pɛ̃ syʁ la plɑ̃ʃ | to have a lot of work |
| être dans le pétrin | ɛtʁ dɑ̃ lə pe.tʁɛ̃ | to be in trouble |
| faire d’une pierre deux coups | fɛʁ dyn pjɛʁ dø ku | to kill two birds with one stone |
| tirer son épingle du jeu | ti.ʁe sɔ̃n‿e.pɛ̃ɡl dy ʒø | to come out on top |
| tourner autour du pot | tuʁ.ne o.tuʁ dy po | to beat around the bush |
| mettre son grain de sel | mɛtʁ sɔ̃ ɡʁɛ̃ də sɛl | to add your two cents |
| mettre de l’eau dans son vin | mɛtʁ də lo dɑ̃ sɔ̃ vɛ̃ | to tone it down |
| avoir le coup de foudre | a.vwaʁ lə ku də fudʁ | to fall in love at first sight |
| couper les ponts | ku.pe le pɔ̃ | to cut ties |
| passer un savon | pa.se œ̃ sa.vɔ̃ | to tell someone off |
| ça coûte un bras | sa kut œ̃ bʁa | it costs an arm and a leg |
| être fauché | ɛtʁ fo.ʃe | to be broke |
| rouler sur l’or | ʁu.le syʁ lɔʁ | to be rich |
| les carottes sont cuites | le ka.ʁɔt sɔ̃ kɥit | it’s all over |
| raconter des salades | ʁa.kɔ̃.te de sa.lad | to tell lies |
| poser un lapin | po.ze œ̃ la.pɛ̃ | to stand someone up |
| quand les poules auront des dents | kɑ̃ le pul o.ʁɔ̃ de dɑ̃ | when pigs fly |
| avoir d’autres chats à fouetter | a.vwaʁ dotʁ ʃa a fwɛ.te | to have other fish to fry |
| être serrés comme des sardines | ɛtʁ se.ʁe kɔm de saʁ.din | to be packed like sardines |
| avoir un cœur d’artichaut | a.vwaʁ œ̃ kœʁ daʁ.ti.ʃo | to fall in love easily |
| n’importe quoi | nɛ̃.pɔʁtə kwa | nonsense |
| laisser tomber | lɛ.se tɔ̃.be | forget it, drop it |
| tant pis | tɑ̃ pi | too bad |
| tant mieux | tɑ̃ mjø | even better |
| se débrouiller | sə de.bʁu.je | to manage |
| c’est pas mon truc | sɛ pa mɔ̃ tʁyk | it’s not my thing |
| ça me prend la tête | sa mə pʁɑ̃ la tɛt | it’s doing my head in |
| ce n’est pas gagné | sə nɛ pa ɡa.nje | it’s not a sure thing |
| remettre les pendules à l’heure | ʁə.mɛtʁ le pɑ̃.dyl a lœʁ | to set things straight |
| avoir les moyens | a.vwaʁ le mwa.jɛ̃ | to be able to afford it |
Five-Minute Practice Plan: Idioms That Stick
- Pick 5 “Core” Idioms (1 minute)
Choose five from the Quick Reference that feel most useful to your life right now. For example:
avoir le cafard, avoir la pêche, c’est du gâteau, en avoir marre, ça marche. - Make Mini-Scenes (1–2 minutes)
For each idiom, imagine a tiny scene and say one sentence aloud:
Aujourd’hui, j’ai la pêche.
Ce devoir, c’est du gâteau. - Swap Pairs (1 minute)
Practice opposites:
J’ai la pêche / J’ai le cafard
C’est du gâteau / C’est pas gagné
Say them back-to-back so your brain feels the contrast. - Mini Dialogue Imitation (1 minute)
Choose one of the Mini Dialogues and read both parts out loud, twice. Then try again without looking. Focus on rhythm, not perfection. - Real-Life Challenge (30 seconds)
Decide on one idiom you’ll try in a real message or conversation today. For example, text a friend:
On se voit demain ? 18h, ça marche ?
If you keep recycling the same 10–20 idioms for a few weeks, they stop being “expressions idiomatiques” in your head and start being… just French.
From Textbook French To “Oh Wow, You Sound French”
Idioms are the secret seasoning that turns correct French into alive French. With avoir le cafard, c’est du gâteau, avoir du pain sur la planche, and a few more in your pocket, you suddenly sound less like a grammar exercise and more like someone who might actually complain about the weather in a Paris café.
Don’t try to memorize all 100+ at once. Pick a small set, play with them, drop one into a text, another into a call, and let them slowly become yours. One day, you’ll hear yourself say les carottes sont cuites without thinking… and that’s when you’ll know your inner French yak is really at home.