Avoir de la veine

“Avoir de la veine” means to be lucky or to have luck. “Une veine” is a vein. So what is the connection between veins and luck? The term comes from the world of men who searched for gold, diamonds or other precious metals. These metals and diamonds are found in concentrations in rock called “veins.” Finding a vein of gold or diamonds was the kind of luck that all miners strove for, so “to have some vein” means to be lucky.

Are you looking for VCE French tutoring? Try a free trial lesson with Fast French. No obligation. Fast French has a track record of helping students to progress and excel in their French studies.

Don’t miss out on new posts – subscribe now!

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • faire une frite

    The French expression “faire une frite” literally means “to make a fry” or “to make a French fry.” However it has nothing to do with cooking. Instead it means to use the backs of your fingers to whip someone’s bottom in a downwards direction. This action, often done by kids teasing each other, will leave…

  • c pronunciation

    The letter “c” can be pronounced in two different ways in French. It can be hard, like the first “c” in the word “coriace,” meaning “tough,” “leathery,” or “hard-headed,” pronounced [KOH REE AHSS]. Or it can be soft, like the last “c” in “coriace.” How do you know whether a “c” will be hard or…

  • faire le beau

    Faire le beau is a fixed French expression with two main uses. Its original, literal use applies to dogs and means to beg or sit up obediently to please someone. By extension, when applied to people, it means to show off, seek approval, flatter, or behave in an ingratiating way. The expression is common in…

  • vouloir

    The French verb “vouloir” is a very important and frequently used verb. It means “to want.” It is often used with other verbs, eg “to want to do.” As such, it is described as an auxiliary verb, or helper verb, because it is useful when combined with other French verbs. Below are the conjugations for…

  • à huis clos

    “à huis clos” is a French saying that means in private, with all doors closed, in secret. It is an expression dating from the middle of the 16th century, meaning “with doors closed.” “Huis” is an old 11th century word for door, now replaced by the word “porte.” The original word for door was “us,”…

  • le parti & la partie

    Homonyms are words that share the same spelling or pronunciation but have different meanings. In this article, we’ll delve into two French homonyms: “parti” and “partie.” Meaning and Usage 1. Le parti: 2. La partie: Etymology 1. Le Parti: Latin Origin: The word “parti” has its roots in the Latin word “partitus,” which is the…