Ever heard a French person say “avoir le cafard” and thought they were talking about having a pet cockroach? Well, surprise—it actually means feeling down in the dumps! Idioms are those quirky, colorful expressions that don’t quite make sense when translated word for word, but they offer a window into a culture’s humor, values, and way of thinking. French idioms are no different they're vivid, sometimes odd, and always fascinating. 

In this blog, we’ll decode some of the most interesting French idioms and match them with their closest English cousins. Whether you’re learning French or just love languages, this journey will be both educational and entertaining!

“Avoir le cafard” – Feeling Blue

Literal meaning: To have the cockroach
English equivalent: To feel down / To have the blues
This slightly creepy-sounding idiom is used when someone feels gloomy or depressed. It’s like saying, “I’ve got the blues,” only in France, your blues come with cockroaches

“Donner sa langue au chat” – Giving Up on Guessing

Literal meaning: To give one’s tongue to the cat
English equivalent: To give up
When you just can’t figure out a riddle or question, you might say this to surrender. In English, we give up. In French, we hand over our tongue to a cat—because, of course, why not?

“C’est la fin des haricots” – That’s the Last Straw

Literal meaning: It’s the end of the beans
English equivalent: That’s the last straw / It’s all over
This dramatic idiom is used when everything has gone wrong. It comes from a time when beans were considered the last basic food—if you’re out of beans, you're out of luck!

“Poser un lapin (à quelqu’un)” – Standing Someone Up

Literal meaning: To put down a rabbit (to someone)
English equivalent: To stand someone up
No rabbits are harmed in this expression. It’s just a French way of saying someone didn’t show up for a date or meeting, without letting you know.

“Avoir un poil dans la main” – Being Incredibly Lazy

Literal meaning: To have a hair in one’s hand
English equivalent: To be bone idle / To be super lazy
This idiom humorously suggests that someone is so lazy, they can't even use their hands—or they have a hair growing in them due to inactivity!

“Faire la grasse matinée” – Sleeping In

Literal meaning: To do the fat morning
English equivalent: To sleep in / Have a lie-in
This idiom paints a cozy picture of lounging in bed late into the morning—something most of us can relate to on weekends!

“Être dans les vapes” – Feeling Out of It

Literal meaning: To be in the vapors
English equivalent: To be woozy / To be spaced out
Whether you’re groggy from sleep or recovering from a long night, being “dans les vapes” means you’re not quite there—mentally or physically.

“Il pleut des cordes” – It’s Pouring

Literal meaning: It’s raining ropes
English equivalent: It’s raining cats and dogs
Just like in English, the French get imaginative about bad weather. Instead of animals, though, they see ropes falling from the sky when it’s pouring rain.

Final Thoughts: Idioms Make Language Come Alive

Understanding idioms isn’t just about learning new vocabulary—it’s about grasping the humor and culture that shape everyday conversations. So the next time you hear someone say they’ve given their tongue to a cat or they’re in the vapors, you’ll know they’re just expressing what words alone can’t quite capture.