All spoken languages are rich in idiomatic expressions. In English one could quote “a piece of cake”, “To be broken”, “To be broke”. In Spanish “tirar la olla” (“to throw the pan” / to give up, to give up something). Many of these expressions have their roots in history and are part of our daily lives. Today we are launching a new series with 10 French idiomatic expressions that you can use in everyday life but especially in business meetings! You will know everything about the origin of these expressions but above all how to use them!
Let’s get started!
Here are 10 French expressions to discover and consume without moderation!
#1 “ Répondre du tac au tac ”
Meaning 👉 : Answer quickly
History / explanation
Among the French expressions “répondre du tac au tac” comes from the fencing world where, since the 19th century, “to respond from slam to slam” has meant “to respond quickly to an assault”, the ‘slam’ designating the sound of irons banging against each other.
How to use it?
During a brainstorming session, employees can be asked to respond to each other on a topic. We will therefore invite employees to respond quickly.
For example:
- Hugo always responds “du tac au tac”.
- Hugo always responds very quickly
#2 “ Porter ses fruits ”
Meaning 👉 : Produce useful, interesting results
Histoire/ explication : This expression first appears in literature in the 19th century, its origin is neither known nor documented. So the mystery remains! “Porter ses fruits” is used to talk about an action that produces useful or interesting results. Comment l’utiliser ? During the meeting you can ask your colleagues if this or that project is going to be successful. That is to say, are there interesting, positive results. Exemple :
- This meeting was a success! We all know what we have to do.
- This meeting had useful results! We all know what we have to do.
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#3 “ Arrondir les angles ”
Meaning 👉 : to mitigate conflicting differences / to calm the game
History / explanation:
Here the angle is the representation of an argument or disagreement between several people. On the contrary, the roundness represents diplomacy. The person who “arrondi les angles” is therefore the one who tries to bring calm to a tormented, stormy discussion.
How to use it?
In the work environment many situations can be considered stormy or tense. Whether between employees or with customers, these situations are numerous. When you want to calm the situation down, you have to round off the angles. There are several French expressions, including this one, which does not lack clarity.
For example:
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Hugo has forgotten a business appointment, his client is angry, in order to relax the situation he will invite him to the restaurant at his own expense, to smooth things over. I’m going to invite the customer to “arrondir les angles”.
#4 “ Renvoyer l’ascenseur ”
Meaning 👉 : return a favour
History / explanation:
This expression dates from the end of the 19th century. Indeed, the first lifts in operation did not allow automatic ascent and descent, so it was necessary to “renvoyer l’ascenceur” so that other users could use it. This act of good education has gradually become part of our everyday language to express gratitude but above all the fact of returning a favour, a service.
How to use it?
In the world of work, mutual help between colleagues is the key to a cohesive team. When one employee does a favour for another, the latter can return the favour. In other words, he or she will do the other person a favour in return.
For example:
Hugo needs help to write an article because he is in trouble. Paola, his colleague, is going to help him on a voluntary basis.
- Hugo: I don’t think I will be able to finish my article in time.
- Paula: I will help you, it’s no problem for me.
- Hugo: No, no, it bothers me, you have a lot to do.
- Paula: No, no, I don’t mind, you’ve got a lot to do: Don’t worry, it’s no problem, one day you’ll return the favour.
These French expressions will be very useful in your work meetings.
#5 “ Tenir au courant ”
Meaning 👉 : keep someone informed
History / explanation:
In order to understand the meaning of this expression, we must look at the meaning of the word “current”. In the 18th century, “courant” meant something common or massively known. We therefore link this word to knowledge, to information. To be aware of something therefore means to be informed. Therefore, to be aware of something means to keep someone informed.
How to use it?
At a meeting many things can be discussed. Sometimes it is necessary to hold several meetings to discuss the progress of projects or topics on the agenda. It is therefore normal to keep your staff informed of progress.
For example:
During a meeting Hugo, a journalist, has to interview several people in order to write an article. His boss will therefore ask him to keep him informed/informed about the progress of the interviews.
- Hugo: I have to interview Mr. Xiao and Mrs. Gonzales for the article on the Martin case. I will have a report next week.
- Mr. Barron: Okay, you keep me informed of the progress.
#6 “ Mettre les bouchées doubles ”
Meaning 👉 : accelerate the movement
History / explanation:
“La bouchée” is the amount of food you put in your mouth. Sometimes, for many reasons, it is necessary to eat your meal quickly, so the bite size must be doubled or even tripled. Therefore doubling the bite size simply means going faster or accelerating the movement.
How to use it?
In companies it is often necessary to speed up the movement or pace. This expression is therefore often used to ask a person or a group of people to redouble their efforts and speed up the pace of work.
For example:
Hugo has still not been able to publish his article. His disgruntled boss is going to ask him to work faster.
- Hugo: I still haven’t finished the article on the Martin case.
- Mr. Barron: It’s been two months now, Hugo. We have to work twice as hard. I need this article by Friday morning.
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The art of convincing with well-used French expressions
#7 “ C’est dans mes cordes ”
Meaning 👉 : be competent to do something
History / explanation:
In the 19th century the dictionary of the Académie Française defined the string as a musical note or sound. It was therefore normal to say of someone’s voice that it was “pleasant in the low or high strings”. Faced with this definition, we can deduce that a musical piece can be in the strings of a singer, if the latter has the technical level necessary to be able to interpret the piece. This expression then spread to other areas, other than music, to indicate that someone has the skills to perform a task.
How to use it?
In the context of a meeting, the skills of each person are solicited. However, it is sometimes possible to question or question a member of staff to find out whether he or she has the competence to do this or that. We will therefore ask them if it is within their capabilities.
For example:
Mr Barron, a newspaper owner, is going to assign new tasks to one of his employees, Hugo. During a meeting he will ask him if he feels capable of carrying out the task.
- Mr. Barron: I would like Hugo to contact Mr. Xiao about the problem we mentioned. Does this seem possible to you, Hugo?
- Hugo: Yes, Mr. Barron, it’s within my reach.
#8 “ Donner un coup de main ”
Meaning 👉 : help someone / do someone a favour
History / explanation:
There is a mystery surrounding this expression. Indeed, we don’t really know where this expression comes from. However, we can easily understand its meaning by looking at the symbolism of the hand. Generally speaking, “reaching out” is synonymous with help or generosity. The hand will be extended to the most destitute to help them. It is in this sense that we must analyse “donner un coup de main“. The notion of aid is still present, but there is also a practical side with “a helping hand”. Therefore “donner un coup de main” means helping someone voluntarily and on a one-off basis.
How to use it?
We have seen above one of the French expressions “renvoyer l’ascenseur” that one can use for one action in exchange for another. Here “donner un coup de main” does not mean favour against favour. In a meeting, if a person needs help, we can offer our help, give them a hand.
For example:
During the meeting Hugo mentioned the difficulties he had encountered in writing his article. Paula is going to offer her help.
- Hugo: I need help to finish writing my article. I can’t do it.
Paula: “je te donne un coup de main”! - Hugo: That would be great! Thank you very much, thank you very much.
#9 “ Faire d’une pierre deux coups ”
Meaning 👉 : obtain several results in one go
History / explanation:
This expression appeared in the 16th century, but it is likely that it existed in another form long before that. The meaning of this expression is very simple to understand: if someone by throwing a stone manages to hit two different targets, it is said that he kills two birds with one stone. It is therefore quite understandable that this is also the case when one carries out an action and obtains two or more results.
How to use it?
In meetings, when making decisions or when setting objectives, this expression can be used when an action achieves two or more results.
For example:
During the meeting Mr Barron asked Hugo to work on a new project. Paula is working on a similar project and she will suggest working with Hugo. This way they can pool their skills and by working together they can each achieve results.
- Mr. Barron: Hugo, I would like you to do some research on the finances of the Smith company.
- Paula: I have to interview the boss next week, we could go together. We could kill two birds with one stone.
- Mr. Barron: Perfect!
#10 “ Jeter l’éponge ”
Meaning 👉 : giving up, renouncing a project or action
History / explanation:
Boxing enthusiasts are well aware of the origin of this expression. Indeed, until a few years ago, the boxer’s manager used a sponge between rounds to wipe the sportsman. During a round, if the boxer was beaten, he would throw the sponge into the ring, which meant that the fight was abandoned. This expression has been used outside the context of boxing since the end of the 19th century. So the expression means to abandon an action, a project.
How to use it?
In the business world it is sometimes necessary to give up or abandon projects because they are not feasible. We will therefore talk about throwing in the towel.
For example:
In a meeting Hugo will explain to his boss that he is unable to obtain crucial information for one of his articles. The boss is going to ask him to give up his project.
- Hugo: I went to see the Smith company but I didn’t get any information. They don’t want to release the figures. So I’m completely blocked.
- Mr. Barron: We’re going to have to “jeter l’éponge”. If you don’t manage to get this information we can’t move forward with the case.
We hope this article on French expressions has more for you.
There are many others that we will be pleased to present in a future article.
You are now ready to shine in meetings!
Feel free to leave us your comments or ask us questions!
