“Avoir les jambes en coton” means literally “to have legs of cotton” or “to have cotton legs.” It means to have no strength left in your legs, to have weak legs or to have unsteady legs. In English, you would probably say that you had “legs like jelly,” “jelly legs,” “rubber legs” or “shaky legs.”
The French verb “fondre” means “to melt,” along with a host of other meanings. It’s a useful verb to know if you’re heading into summer temperatures. “Fondre” can mean “to melt,” “to melt down,” “to thaw,” “to thaw out,” “to cast,” “to dissolve,” “to melt away,” “to waste away,” “to soften,” or when used reflexively,…
The French phrase “il me faut” means “I need.” Literally translated, it means “it to me is necessary.” Versions also exist for you, he/she, we, you (formal/plural) and they. This is an alternative to the expression “avoir besoin de” (to have need of). “Il me faut” is always followed by a noun. It is never…
The French expression “le roi n’est pas son cousin” translates literally as “the king is not his cousin.” What it really means is “he is happier than a king,” or “he is almost as happy as a king,” depending on your interpretation. This saying can be understood in one of two ways. Firstly, it can…
Four verbs that often cause confusion among learners are “penser,” “croire,” “songer,” and “réfléchir/réfléchir à.” Each of these verbs conveys a distinct way of thinking or considering ideas. 1. Penser: 2. Croire: 3. Songer: 4. Réfléchir / Réfléchir à: In summary, “penser” is for general thoughts and opinions, “croire” is for beliefs and faith, “songer”…
The French saying “avoir le coeur sur la main” literally translates as “to have the heart on the hand.” It means “to be inclined to great generosity,” or “to be generous.” This saying dates back to the end of the 18th century. It comes from the idea that your heart is your most precious possession, because…
The French saying “travailler pour le roi de Prusse” translates literally as “to work for the King of Prussia.” What it really means is “to work for nothing,” or “to not be paid for your efforts.” The idiom first appeared around the middle of the 19th century. Its origin remains unclear, however. There are a…