être dans son assiette

In modern French, “être dans son assiette” literally means “to be in one’s plate.” However, this expression has nothing to do with food in its original sense.

Figurative Meaning

The expression is mostly used in the negative:
“Ne pas être dans son assiette” means to not feel well—physically, mentally, or emotionally. It’s similar to the English idea of “not feeling quite right” or “being out of sorts.”

Origins: The Equestrian Meaning of Assiette

Before assiette meant “plate,” it had a different meaning. It came from the verb asseoir, meaning to sit or to place. In older French, assiette referred to a person’s or object’s position, balance, or posture.

In particular, in horseback riding, l’assiette refers to the rider’s seat or posture on the horse—how well-balanced and stable the rider is in the saddle. A good rider has une bonne assiette—a good seat. If the rider is unbalanced or awkward, they have a mauvaise assiette.

Over time, this concept of assiette as balance or condition was applied to people more generally. To be dans son assiette originally meant to be well-balanced, steady, in a normal state. Not being dans son assiette meant being off-balance—physically or mentally.

Later, the meaning of assiette shifted to “plate” (the object), but the older meaning survived in this expression.

Examples

  1. Il ne mange rien et reste silencieux. Il n’est pas dans son assiette.
    He’s not eating and staying quiet. He’s not feeling right.
  2. Tu vas bien ? Tu n’as pas l’air dans ton assiette.
    Are you okay? You don’t look like yourself.
  3. Depuis l’accident, elle n’est plus dans son assiette.
    Since the accident, she hasn’t been herself.

Summary

  • Literal meaning today: to be in one’s plate
  • Original meaning: to be well-seated or balanced (like a rider on a horse)
  • Figurative meaning: to feel normal, steady, or well—usually used in the negative
  • Key idea: balance or stability, especially in health or mood

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

  • aussitôt & aussitôt que possible

    The French words aussitôt and aussitôt que possible are used to express immediacy or promptness. While they share similarities with English terms like “immediately” and “as soon as possible,” their usage follows specific grammatical patterns in French. 1. “Aussitôt” (immediately, right away) Aussitôt functions as an adverb meaning “immediately” or “right away.” It emphasizes that…

  • Vogue la galère

    “Vogue la galère” means “what will be, will be,” “come what may,” or “whatever happens, happens.” Literally the expression means something like “let the galley sail.” But the word “voguer” (to sail) originally meant to be pushed over the water by strength of oars. Galleys were ships powered by oarsmen and were used from antiquity…

  • là vs y

    In French, the two words that mean “there” (“là” and “y”) are often confused by language learners, but they serve distinct grammatical functions and have different uses in sentences. Là (there) “Là” is primarily an adverb of place meaning “there” or “here.” It indicates a specific location and can be used to point out or…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *