French idioms & Expressions

1."Perdre la boule“

 Literal meaning: "To lose your ball"

 What it really means: To lose your head

2."Ce n'est pas la mer à boire“

 Literal meaning: "It's not like you have to drink

the ocean"
 What it really means: It's not difficult
3."Faire du chemin / faire son chemin“

 Literal meaning: "To go along the path / to go

along your path"
 What it really means: To make progress

4. Traîner quelqu'un dans la boue“

 Literal meaning: "To drag someone through

the mud"
 What it really means: To dirty someone's

reputation
5. "Passer un mauvais quart d'heure“

 Literal meaning: "To have a bad quarter of an hour"

 What it really means: A short, difficult period in

one's life

6. Quand le chat n'est pas là, les souris dansent. 

When the cat's away, the mice will play.

Literal Translation: When the cat isn't there, the mice

dance.
7.se serrer la ceinture 
 to tighten one’s belt

Literal Translation: cut one's expenditure; live

more frugally.
8. Avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez
Literally: to have the mustard going up your
nose
Literal Translation: to lose your temper
MERCI!!!