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Useful French Idioms

Expressions idiomatiques utiles en français

In this lesson, you will learn a few interesting French idiomatic expressions. Those expressions are very useful in everyday conversations. Have fun! :)

Manger son pain noir [ edit | edit source ]

"Manger son pain noir" literally means "to eat one's black bread, bad bread". It means that one is going through a rough patch.

Manger son pain blanc [ edit | edit source ]

The opposite of "manger son pain noir" is "manger son pain blanc" (to eat one's white bread). It means to have a good time.

Ne pas être né/tombé de la dernière pluie / Ne pas être né d'hier [ edit | edit source ]

Literally: "To be not born with the last rain"; "To be not born yesterday"

Meaning: Having experience, being smart, knowing the things of life

Example: Pourquoi me dis-tu cela ? je ne suis pas né d'hier / je ne suis pas tombé de la dernière pluie !

Why are you telling me that? I was not born yesterday! I didn't come in the last shower!

Cela m'a ouvert les yeux [ edit | edit source ]

Literally: "It opened my eyes"

Meaning: It was an eye-opener

Example: Ce que m'a dit ma femme m'a vraiment ouvert les yeux.

What my wife said was a real eye-opener.

Jeter de l'huile sur le feu / Remuer le couteau dans la plaie [ edit | edit source ]

Literally: "To throw oil on the fire", "to shake the knife in one's wound"

Meaning: To add fuel to the fire, to make things worse.

Example: Ce qu'il a répondu n'a fait que jeter de l'huile sur le feu / n'a fait que remuer le couteau dans la plaie.

What he answered only added fuel to the fire.

Ce n'est pas à un vieux singe qu'on apprend à faire des grimaces [ edit | edit source ]