Idiomatic expressions
French expressions that are genuinely used: in conversation, in essays, and in culture. Each entry includes a real example sentence, a usage label, and a note on when and how to use it.
Expressions for writing & formal French
These elevate formal writing: IB essays, compositions, and formal text types. They signal precision, nuance, and a strong command of the language.
Force est de constater que
One cannot help but notice that / it is undeniable that
Force est de constater que les inégalités persistent malgré les efforts.
One cannot help but notice that inequalities persist despite the efforts.
Note: Powerful opener for a frank observation. Widely used in journalism and IB essays.
À bien des égards
In many respects
À bien des égards, cette réforme est indispensable.
In many respects, this reform is essential.
Note: Elegant alternative to 'de nombreuses façons'. Use it to introduce a qualified claim.
De prime abord
At first glance, initially
De prime abord, la solution paraît simple. Cependant...
At first glance, the solution seems simple. However...
Note: Often followed by a contrast. A classic two-part essay move: de prime abord... néanmoins...
Il est à noter que
It is worth noting that
Il est à noter que les résultats varient considérablement selon les régions.
It is worth noting that results vary considerably by region.
Note: Draws the reader's attention to a key detail. Common in analytical and scientific writing.
Dans une certaine mesure
To a certain extent
Dans une certaine mesure, les deux arguments se rejoignent.
To a certain extent, the two arguments converge.
Note: Avoids absolute claims: valued in IB analysis and any nuanced argumentation.
Loin de
Far from (doing something)
Loin d'être un obstacle, la diversité est une richesse.
Far from being an obstacle, diversity is a strength.
Note: Creates an elegant reversal. Loin de + infinitive is a sharp rhetorical device in essays.
À cet égard
In this regard, in this respect
À cet égard, la politique canadienne sert d'exemple.
In this regard, Canadian policy serves as an example.
Note: Connects smoothly back to what was just discussed. Keeps your essay flowing.
Il va sans dire que
It goes without saying that
Il va sans dire que la santé est une priorité absolue.
It goes without saying that health is an absolute priority.
Note: Paradoxically useful: you say it precisely because it needs to be said for emphasis.
Quoi qu'il en soit
Be that as it may / regardless
Quoi qu'il en soit, une décision doit être prise.
Be that as it may, a decision must be made.
Note: Acknowledges complexity and then moves forward. Excellent in essay conclusions.
À plus forte raison
All the more so / a fortiori
Si c'est difficile pour les adultes, à plus forte raison pour les enfants.
If it's difficult for adults, all the more so for children.
Note: Extends an argument by applying it to a more extreme case. Sophisticated logical move.
Dans les grandes lignes
Broadly speaking, in broad strokes
Dans les grandes lignes, le projet est solide.
Broadly speaking, the project is solid.
Note: Signals you're giving a general overview. Good for introductions.
En filigrane
Underlying, running through (like a watermark)
En filigrane de ce roman, on perçoit une critique sociale.
Running through this novel is an underlying social critique.
Note: From the word for watermark. Used to describe themes or ideas present beneath the surface of a text.
Il convient de souligner
It is important to emphasize
Il convient de souligner l'importance du contexte historique.
It is important to emphasize the importance of the historical context.
Note: More precise than 'il est important de'. Commonly used to foreground a key argument.
Sans aucun doute
Without a doubt, undoubtedly
Sans aucun doute, l'éducation reste la meilleure solution.
Without a doubt, education remains the best solution.
Note: Assertive: use when you're confident in the claim you're making.
Dans la même veine
In the same vein, along the same lines
Dans la même veine, on peut citer le cas du Québec.
In the same vein, one can cite the case of Quebec.
Note: Links a new example or argument to the previous one thematically.
Pour autant
Yet, even so, that said
La situation est grave. Pour autant, il ne faut pas céder à la panique.
The situation is serious. Even so, we must not give in to panic.
Note: A nuanced concessive: acknowledges difficulty without abandoning the main argument.
En d'autres termes
In other words
En d'autres termes, il faut repenser entièrement notre approche.
In other words, we need to rethink our approach entirely.
Note: Used to clarify or restate an idea more simply. Works in writing and formal speech.
À l'heure actuelle
At the present time, nowadays, currently
À l'heure actuelle, le numérique transforme tous les secteurs.
At the present time, technology is transforming every sector.
Note: Sets a contemporary frame. More precise than 'maintenant' in formal contexts.
Everyday French expressions
Idioms that are genuinely part of French culture: heard in conversation, in films, and in informal writing. Many have rich historical or literary origins.
Avoir le cafard
Literally: to have the cockroach
To feel down / blue
Depuis la rentrée, il a le cafard.
Since the school year started, he's been feeling blue.
Note: The expression comes from the poet Baudelaire, who associated cockroaches with gloom and melancholy in his Spleen poems.
Appeler un chat un chat
Literally: to call a cat a cat
To call a spade a spade / to be direct
Appelons un chat un chat: la situation est grave.
Let's call a spade a spade: the situation is serious.
Note: Works well in essays to signal you're about to make a frank, unambiguous statement.
Faire d'une pierre deux coups
Literally: to hit two blows with one stone
To kill two birds with one stone
En révisant avec un ami, tu fais d'une pierre deux coups.
By studying with a friend, you kill two birds with one stone.
Avoir du pain sur la planche
Literally: to have bread on the board
To have a lot to do / a lot on one's plate
Avant les examens, on a vraiment du pain sur la planche.
Before the exams, we really have a lot on our plate.
Note: Historically referred to having enough work lined up. Now universal for a heavy workload.
Revenons à nos moutons
Literally: let us return to our sheep
Let's get back on topic / back to the point
Mais revenons à nos moutons: la question centrale est la suivante...
But let's get back on topic: the central question is the following...
Note: From the 15th-century medieval farce 'La Farce de Maître Pathelin'. One of the oldest French idioms still in everyday use.
Avoir le vent en poupe
Literally: to have the wind at the stern
To be on a roll / to have the wind in your sails
Ce jeune auteur a le vent en poupe depuis son premier roman.
This young author has been on a roll since his first novel.
Note: Nautical origin: the stern (poupe) is the back of a ship. Wind from behind = favourable conditions.
Ne pas y aller par quatre chemins
Literally: not to go there by four paths
To not beat around the bush / to be straight to the point
Elle n'y est pas allée par quatre chemins: elle a dit la vérité.
She didn't beat around the bush: she told the truth.
Mettre les bouchées doubles
Literally: to double the mouthfuls
To work twice as hard / to step up the pace
Il va falloir mettre les bouchées doubles pour finir à temps.
We're going to have to work twice as hard to finish on time.
Avoir la tête dans les nuages
Literally: to have one's head in the clouds
To be a daydreamer / to be distracted
Tu as la tête dans les nuages: concentre-toi!
You've got your head in the clouds: focus!
Tenir le coup
To hold on / to hang in there / to cope
C'est difficile, mais tu vas tenir le coup.
It's hard, but you'll hang in there.
Note: Commonly used to encourage someone going through a hard time.
Coûter les yeux de la tête
Literally: to cost the eyes from the head
To cost a fortune / to be outrageously expensive
Ces livres scolaires coûtent les yeux de la tête.
These textbooks cost a fortune.
Poser un lapin à quelqu'un
Literally: to place a rabbit on someone
To stand someone up
Elle m'a posé un lapin hier soir.
She stood me up last night.
Note: Comes from 19th-century slang. Extremely common in everyday speech.
Noyer le poisson
Literally: to drown the fish
To muddy the waters / to dodge the issue
Le ministre essaie de noyer le poisson avec des statistiques.
The minister is trying to muddy the waters with statistics.
Note: Used to accuse someone of deliberately obscuring an issue. Works in informal speech and journalistic writing.
Avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurre
Literally: to have the butter and the money from the butter
To have your cake and eat it too
On ne peut pas avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurre.
You can't have your cake and eat it too.
Note: Useful in arguments about trade-offs. Can appear in essays to dismiss unrealistic expectations.
Mettre les points sur les i
Literally: to put the dots on the i's
To spell things out / to set the record straight
Permettez-moi de mettre les points sur les i.
Allow me to spell things out clearly.
Se noyer dans un verre d'eau
Literally: to drown in a glass of water
To make a mountain out of a molehill
Tu te noies dans un verre d'eau: ce n'est pas si grave.
You're making a mountain out of a molehill: it's not that serious.
Il pleut des cordes
Literally: it is raining ropes
It's raining cats and dogs
Prends un parapluie: il pleut des cordes dehors.
Take an umbrella: it's raining cats and dogs outside.
Avoir d'autres chats à fouetter
Literally: to have other cats to whip
To have bigger fish to fry
Je n'ai pas le temps pour ça: j'ai d'autres chats à fouetter.
I don't have time for this: I have bigger fish to fry.
Passer l'éponge
Literally: to pass the sponge
To let it go / to wipe the slate clean
On s'est disputés, mais on a décidé de passer l'éponge.
We argued, but we decided to let it go.
Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué
Literally: don't sell the bear's skin before you've killed it
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
On n'a pas encore gagné: ne vendons pas la peau de l'ours.
We haven't won yet: let's not count our chickens.
Note: One of the most famous French proverbs, popularised by La Fontaine. Can be shortened in context.
French proverbs
Proverbs carry centuries of cultural wisdom and are widely recognized by French speakers. Quoting one precisely in an essay or oral exam demonstrates cultural fluency.
| Proverb | Meaning & context | |
|---|---|---|
| Vouloir, c'est pouvoir. | Where there's a will, there's a way. One of the most widely cited French proverbs. Simple, motivational, and effective in introductions or conclusions. | |
| Mieux vaut tard que jamais. | Better late than never. Useful as a concession: even if something is overdue, it still has value. | |
| L'habit ne fait pas le moine. | Don't judge a book by its cover. (Clothes don't make the monk.) A reminder that appearances can be deceptive. Excellent in essays about prejudice, identity, or social issues. | |
| Qui vivra verra. | Time will tell. (He who lives will see.) Used to express uncertainty about the future. A graceful way to end an argument that can't be definitively resolved. | |
| Les murs ont des oreilles. | Walls have ears. Warns that private conversations may be overheard. Common in everyday French. | |
| L'appétit vient en mangeant. | Appetite comes with eating. / The more you have, the more you want. Often used to mean: once you start something, you want more. From Rabelais (16th century). Used to describe how desire grows through action or experience. | |
| Chacun voit midi à sa porte. | Everyone sees noon at their own door. / Everyone looks at things from their own perspective. Captures the idea of subjectivity and self-interest shaping people's views. Useful in philosophical or social essays. | |
| Il ne faut pas mettre tous ses œufs dans le même panier. | Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Classic advice about diversification and risk. Works well in essays about strategy or decision-making. | |
| Bien mal acquis ne profite jamais. | Ill-gotten gains never prosper. A moral proverb about honesty and integrity. Common in discussions of ethics. | |
| À quelque chose malheur est bon. | Every cloud has a silver lining. (There's something good in every misfortune.) Used to find a positive angle in a difficult situation. Particularly effective in argumentative conclusions. | |
| Les absents ont toujours tort. | The absent are always wrong. / Those who aren't there to defend themselves take the blame. Highlights how people judge those who can't speak for themselves. Relevant in essays about fairness or justice. | |
| Pierre qui roule n'amasse pas mousse. | A rolling stone gathers no moss. Used to mean someone who moves around constantly never builds stability. One of the best-known French proverbs. Applies to discussions of ambition, stability, and rootedness. |
Looking for connectors?
If you need words like en outre, par ailleurs, néanmoins, or de surcroît to link your ideas in essays, see the connecting words reference.
See connecting words →