10 French idioms with numbers
French is a beautiful and rich language, with many colorful expressions and idioms.
Some of these idioms include numbers and can add a touch of humor and depth to the language.
In this lesson, we will go over some popular French idioms with numbers.
“Être au septième ciel” – “To be on cloud nine”
This expression means to be extremely happy, to be overjoyed. The idiom originates from the idea of reaching the seventh of the celestial spheres in the Ptolemaic cosmology.
“Être / Se mettre sur son trente et un” – “To be dressed to the nines”
This expression means to be very well dressed, often for a special occasion. The idiom originates from the idea of wearing one’s best clothing, which was often reserved for important events.
“Faire d’une pierre deux coups” – “To kill two birds with one stone”
This expression means to achieve two goals with a single action. The idiom originates from the time when hunting was common and killing two birds with one stone was considered a great achievement.
“Faire la une” – “To make the headlines”
This expression means to be in the news or to receive a lot of attention. The idiom originates from the idea of being on the front page of a newspaper.
“Prendre quatre chemins” – “To take the long way around”
This expression means to take a roundabout or indirect route. The idiom originates from the idea of taking four different paths instead of the direct one, which can lead to a longer journey.
“Être à deux doigts de…” – “To be on the verge of…”
This expression means to be very close to doing something or achieving something. The idiom originates from the idea that you could do something with just two fingers, meaning it’s within your reach.
“Avoir un cinq à sept” – “To have a five to seven”
This expression means to have a romantic encounter after work. The idiom originates from the time when people would meet for drinks after work from five to seven in the evening.
“Être à cent à l’heure” – “To go at a hundred miles an hour”
This expression means to go very fast or to do things quickly. The idiom originates from the idea of driving at a hundred miles an hour, which is a very fast pace.
“Faire ses quatre cents coups” – “To sow one’s wild oats”
This expression means to enjoy oneself and take risks, often during one’s youth. The idiom originates from the idea of doing four hundred mischievous acts, which was a way of expressing a period of rebellion.
“Être à la six-quatre-deux” – “To be in a muddle”
This expression means to be confused, mixed up or in a mess. The idiom originates from the game of dice, where the numbers 6, 4 and 2 are of little value and are not part of any winning combinations.
By learning these French idioms with numbers, 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.