What are idiomatic expressions in French?

General French Idioms

• Ça marche. Literal translation: it walks.
• Être dans la lune. Literal translation: to be in the moon.
• Ça coûte un bras. Literal translation: It costs an arm.
• Faire la grasse matinée. Literal translation: to do a fat morning.
• Coup de foudre.
• Être sage comme une image.
• Boire comme un trou.

What is the idiom of have cold feet?

To “have cold feet” is to be too fearful to undertake or complete an action. A wave of timidity or fearfulness. Loss or lack of courage or confidence.

Do the French have idioms?

Like all languages, French is rich in idioms – expressions that mean something other than their literal meaning.

Where does getting cold feet come from?

But if the figurative meaning of “cold feet” does come from the Italian proverb, there are very few references to it between 1605 and the late 1800s. These days the “cold on my feet” construction seems to be used only in the literal sense.

What is an expression with avoir?

Avoir expressions are very often used to express different feelings. Again, instead of using “to be scared” or “to be ashamed,” in French, you’ll be using avoir. J’ai honte, meanwhile, is commonly used where in English we’d say, “I’m so embarrassed!”

What does the idiom the cockroach mean?

To be visibly sad or depressed. The phrase comes from French. Molly’s been moping around all week, and I have no idea why she has the cockroach. Rob has had the cockroach ever since Gloria broke up with him.

What does cost the eyes of the head mean?

Coûter les yeux de la tête Coûter les yeux de la tête literally means that something costs the eyes in your head – it’s a price that’s unreasonable. The English equivalent is ‘to cost an arm and a leg’.

What does the idiom two left feet mean?

Definition of two left feet —used to describe a person who dances badly My wife is a good dancer, but I’ve got two left feet.

What do French call dejavu?

Déjà rêvé (from French, meaning “already dreamed”) is the feeling of having already dreamed something that is currently being experienced.