What does the French idiom “Revenons à nos moutons !” mean? It means, “Let’s get back to the topic,” or “let’s get back on track.” It dates back to 1464, when it was first found in a comedy of the Late Middle Ages. Literally, however, it means, “Let’s come back to our sheep.” Learn more amusing expressions like this one when you book an online lesson with Fast French.
“Du tac au tac” is a French expression meaning immediately, with vivacity, like lightning, scathingly, or with a quick response. It has nothing to do with Tic Tacs or Tiktok. It comes from the world of fencing. In fencing, to retaliate “du tac au tac” means to reply immediately to an assault. The word “tac” refers…
This expression means “in single file” or “each one behind the other.” It is a shortened form of “à la queue du leu le leu.” The word “leu” is the old word for “wolf” in French. So the longer form meant “at the tail of the wolf, the wolf” meaning that the wolves would travel…
Une bête de somme means a workhorse or a beast of burden. Back in the 12th century, “une somme” meant the load that a horse or a mule could carry. Then, in the 16th century, the term “bête de somme” arrived. These days, the more common word for burden is “un fardeau,” but the term…
The word “la mouche” means “the fly” in French. Here is a summary of French idiomatic expressions that use “mouche.” Faire mouche Literal meaning: To hit the flyFigurative meaning: To hit the target exactly; to be spot onOrigin: From archery or shooting. La mouche was the black center of the target.Example: Son commentaire a fait…
Understanding “Chacun son truc” “Chacun son truc” is a common French expression that translates to “to each their own” or “everyone has their thing.” It conveys the idea that everyone has their own preferences, tastes, or ways of doing things. This phrase is often used to express tolerance or acceptance of different behaviors or choices….
“Mettre les pouces” is a French idiom that literally means “to put the thumbs.” What it really means is to stop resisting, to give in, to admit defeat or to abandon something. It dates from the end of the 18th century. In that same era, a similar expression “coucher les pouces” (to put the thumbs to…
