French idioms with clothes
French is a beautiful and rich language, with many colorful expressions and idioms. Some of these idioms include clothing items and can add a touch of humor and depth to the language.
In this lesson, we will go over some popular French idioms with clothes.
“Mettre son grain de sel” – “To add your two cents”
This expression refers to someone who wants to offer their opinion on a subject that wasn’t asked for. It literally means “to put in your grain of salt,” and originates from the time when people would add a pinch of salt to their dish for more flavor.
“Être tiré à quatre épingles” – “To be dressed to the nines”
This expression means to be very well dressed, often for a special occasion. The idiom originates from the fact that pins and needles were once used to hold clothing in place, and to be “tiré à quatre épingles” meant that your clothes were perfectly fitted.
“Avoir un cœur sur la main” – “To have a heart on your sleeve”
This expression means to be a very open and generous person. The idiom originates from medieval times when a knight would show his loyalty to his king by wearing his emblem on his sleeve.
“Filer à l’anglaise” – “To take French leave”
This expression refers to leaving without saying goodbye or making your departure known. The idiom originates from the fact that the English were known for doing this in France during the Hundred Years War.
“Donner sa langue au chat” – “To give up”
This expression means to give up on trying to guess something. The idiom originates from the Middle Ages when cats were thought to have magical powers and could help people find lost objects.
“Être dans de beaux draps” – “To be in hot water”
This expression means to be in trouble. The idiom originates from the fact that a person who is in debt or trouble may have to sell their sheets and blankets to pay off their debts.
“Se serrer la ceinture” – “To tighten your belt”
This expression means to live frugally and save money. The idiom originates from the time when people would tighten their belts to make their clothes fit better when they had lost weight due to a lack of food.
By learning these French idioms with clothing items, you can add some color and humor to your conversations.
Be sure to practice these expressions so that you can communicate with confidence and convey your ideas in a clear and concise manner.