A

armes gales
idiom. on equal terms (lit.: with equal weaponry)

belles dents
idiom. with gusto, with a strong appetite (lit.: with good teeth)

bout portant
idiom. at point-blank range; point-blank

bride abattue
idiom. at full speed; full throttle

cause de
idiom. because of, on account of

ciel ouvert
idiom. in the open (lit.: at open sky)

contrecoeur
idiom. grudgingly, reluctantly

contre-courant
idiom. against the grain (lit.: against the current)

cor et cri
idiom. with a hue and cry (lit.: by horn and cry)

corps perdu
idiom. headlong (lit.: with body lost)

ct
idiom. by comparison, in comparison

ct de
idiom. next to; adjacent to (lit.: at the side of)

ct de ses pompes
idiom.
out of it; not with it; spacey

coup sr
idiom. without fail

couper le souffle
idiom. to take ones breath away

coups de
idiom. by dint of [using]

court terme
idiom. in the short run

couteaux tirs
idiom. with daggars drawn, at knife point

cran
idiom. on edge; edgy; nervous

dessein
idiom. on purpose

deux doigts de
idiom. within an inch of; very close (lit.: at two fingers of)

deux pas
idiom. just a stones throw [away] (lit.: at two steps)

file indienne
idiom. in single file; in Indian file

fleur de
idiom. at the level of; even with [the surface of]

juste titre
idiom. justly, rightly

labandon
idiom. neglected; in a state of neglect

labri
idiom. safely away, hidden (from view)

ladresse de
idiom. for the benefit of (lit.: to the address of)

lafft
idiom. lying in wait; alert for

larticle de la mort
idiom. at deaths door; close to death (lit.: at the article of death)

lattaque
idiom. attack; to arms

laventure
idiom. aimlessly (lit.: on adventure)

laveuglette
idiom. gropingly, by feel; darkly, blindly

leau de rose
idiom. sentimental, soppy, gushy

lcart
idiom. alone, by him/her/themself(ves), separately

lgal de
idiom. just like; as much as

lemporte-pice
idiom. incisively

lendroit
idiom. right-side out

lendroit de
idiom. toward

lenvers
idiom. inside out; upside down

lpoque
idiom. at that time (in the past)

lestomac
idiom. by bluffing; with a bluff

ltroit
idiom. cramped (for space)

lheure
idiom. on time. 1. Je suis arrive lheure.

lordinaire
idiom. ordinarily, as normally; as usual

la barbe de qqn
idiom. under someones nose (lit.: at the beard of someone)

la belle toile
idiom. in the open air

la bourre
idiom. in a hurry

la cl
idiom. to cap it all (lit.: to the key)

la cte
idiom. on the rocks; in difficulty; in trouble (lit.: at the edge)

la drive
idiom. adrift

la dernire extremit
idiom. on the brink of death; at deaths door

la faveur de
idiom. under cover of; thanks to

la figure
idiom. to someones face, in someones face

la fin
idiom. alright already; enough (n.b.: said at the end of a sentence to indicate exasperation). 1. Tu fais chier, la fin.

la fleur de lge
idiom. in the prime of youth

la fois
idiom. at the same time

la gomme
idiom. lousy (e.g.: ideas)

la lgre
idiom. without thinking, rashly

la longue
idiom. over time, in the long run

la mode
idiom. in fashion, fashionable, current

la mort
idiom. to the utmost; to death. 1. Un surfer doit avoir une coupe de cheveux la mode.

la noix
idiom. lousy (e.g.: ideas)

la pelle
idiom. in quantity

la place
idiom. instead, in (its) place

la vole
idiom. quickly, rapidly

l'oeuvre
idiom. at work

long terme
idiom. in the long run

ma connaissance
idiom. as far as I know; to my knowledge

merveille
idiom. wonderfully, marvellously

mi-chemin entre
idiom. between; halfway between

mon/ton/son avis
idiom. in my opinion; if you ask me

mon/ton/son gr
idiom. as I/you/he/she likes; at I/you/he/she wish

partir de
idiom. from now

pas de loup
idiom. with great strides, quickly (lit.: at wolf steps)

peine
idiom. hardly, scarcely, just

perte de vue
idiom. as far as (one) can see

pleins poumons
idiom. at the top of ones lungs

propos
idiom. by the way; incidentally

propos de
idiom. about; concerning; with regard to. 1. Je voulais vous parler propos de ce projet.

son insu
idiom. without someones knowing

a son/ton/mon sujet
idiom. about him/her/you/me

tel enseigne que
idiom. so much so that

temps
idiom. in time

tire-larigot
idiom. a lot (always at the end of a sentence, not used much anymore). 1. Il y en avait tire-larigot.

tort et travers
idiom. randomly, haphazardly

tout allure
idiom. at full speed, at top speed

tout prix
idiom. at all costs

tout propos
idiom. on every occasion

tout propos
idiom. every other minute; without interruption

tout rompre
idiom. to the utmost

toutes jambes
idiom. swiftly, quickly

toutes les sauces
idiom. in all sorts of ways

tue-tte
idiom. at the top of ones lungs

votre aise
idiom. suit yourself; as you like (lit.: to your pleasure)

vue de nez
idiom. roughly

abattre du travail
idiom. get through a lot of work (lit.: cut down/through the work)

abattre ses cartes
idiom. show ones cards; show ones hand (lit.: bring out ones cards)

abattre son jeu
idiom. show ones hand (lit.: bring out ones play)

abonder en/dans le sense de
idiom. be entirely in agreement with (lit.: be full in the sense of)

abruti
adj. idiot, twit, jerk (n.b.: colloquial) (e.g.: il est un abruti)

accorder ses violons
idiom. get ones story straight (lit.: to tune ones violins; n.b: usually used in the plural to refer to several people collaborating to create or agree upon a

acheter chat en poche
idiom. buy a pig in a poke (lit.: buy a cat in the pocket)

ado
n.m./f. teen; teenager; adolescent (abbr. from adolescent). 1. Cest donc une discussion hyper intense dados.

affreux jojo
idiom. nasty person

ajouter fois aux dires de qn
idiom. give credence to sbs words (lit.: to add faith to what someone says)

aller de soi
idiom. be self-evident

aller sur les brises de qqn
idiom. tread on someones territory

me damne
idiom. henchman; tool (lit.: soul damned)

aller dinguer
idiom. fall flat on one's face; go crashing down

announcer la couleur
idiom. lay ones cards on the table (lit.: to annouce the color)

appeler un chat un chat
idiom. call a spade a spade

appuyer sur le champignon
idiom. floor it; keep ones foot on the accelerator (lit.: press on the mushroom)

aprs coup
idiom. after the event; after the fact

araigne au plafond
idiom. have bats in the belfry; be batty

aristo
n.m/f. aristocrat

arm jusqu'aux cheveux
idiom. armed to the teeth

armoire glace
n.f. muscleman

arrondir ses fins de mois
idiom. supplement ones income

asperge
n.f. tall, thin person

attention
idiom. watch out (for)

attraper le coup
idiom. get the knack; get the swing of (lit.: to trap a blow)

au besoin
idiom. if necessary, if need be (lit.: at the need)

au bout de compte
idiom. in the final analysis

au bout de son rouleau
idiom. at the end of ones rope

au cas o
idiom. in case

au courant
idiom. current, up to date

au dam de
idiom. to the detriment of; to the displeasure of

au diable
idiom. way out; in the sticks; in the boondocks

au doigt et lil
idiom. slavishly

au doigt et oeil
idiom. to the letter

au fait
idiom. by the way

au fait de
idiom. up to date on

au fil de
idiom. with the passing (of time)

au fil de leau
idiom. with the current

au fil des annes
idiom. as the years pass

au fur et mesure
idiom. as soon as, just as; when and where possible. 1. On achetait les choses au fur et mesure.

au grand air
idiom. outside, in the outdoors, in the great outdoors

au grand dam de
idiom. to the detriment of; to the displeasure of

au pif
idiom. at random

au pifomtre
idiom. at random

au poil
idiom. perfect; flawless (lit. to a hair)

au poil
idiom. fantastic; great; perfectly

au rabais
idiom. at bargain rates; at a deep discount. 1. On achetait les provisions au rabais.
au ralenti
idiom. in slow motion

aux abois
idiom. in desperate straits (used for people); at bay (used for animals) (lit.: at the baying)

avaler des couleuvres
idiom. put up with a lot; swallow ones pride

avaler ses mots
idiom. mumble (lit.: to swallow ones words)

avec prcaution
idiom. cautiously; carefully

avec tout le tralala
idiom.
the works; with everything; with a great fuss

avis aux amateurs
idiom. any takers? a word to the wise (lit.: advice to amateurs; n.b.: ironic or sarcastic)

avoir affaire
idiom. deal with; have dealings with

avoir assez (en)
idiom. have enough

avoir barre(s) sur qqn
idiom. have an advantage over sb; have power over sb; have a hold on sb (lit.: have bar(s) over someone)

avoir beau dire
idiom. speak in vain; whatever someone says

avoir beau faire
idiom. be in vain

avoir bon espirt
idiom. be cooperative

avoir cours
idiom. be in current use

avoir de la bouteille
idiom. become mellow; grow mellow

avoir de la chance
idiom. be fortunate

avoir de la merde dans les yeux
idiom. be blind as a bat; not see shit

avoir des antennes
idiom. have a sixth sense; have contacts (lit.: to have antennas)

avoir des ennuis
idiom. be in trouble; have problems

avoir deux poids deux mesures
idiom. use a double standard

avoir droit
idiom. be entitled to

avoir du cachet
idiom. have style

avoir du cran
idiom. have guts; be brave

avoir du foin dans les bottes
idiom. have feathered ones nest

avoir du mal
idiom. have difficulty

avoir envie de
idiom. want to; feel like

avoir fait sone temps
idiom. have had ones day

avoir honte
idiom. be ashamed; be embarassed

avoir lair
idiom. seem; feel; appear (lit.: to have the air [of])

avoir lespirt de clocher
idiom. be narrow-minded

avoir lespirt mal tourn
idiom. have a dirty mind; have an evil mind

avoir lestomac dans les talons
idiom. be famished; be starving

avoir lestomac ereux
idiom. be famished

avoir lhabitude
idiom. be in the habit of

avoir loeil
idiom. have a good eye; have a quick eye

avoir la bouche en cur
idiom. simper

avoir la cote
idiom. be well thought of (lit.: to have the quota)

avoir la dalle
idiom. be starving; be famished

avoir la dalle en pente
idiom. be forever thirsty

avoir la dalle en pente
idiom. be a bit of a boozer; drink a little

avoir la dent
idiom. be hungry (lit.: have the tooth)

avoir la dent dure
idiom. be critical; be scathing (in one's remarks) (lit.: have a hard tooth)

avoir la flemme
idiom. cannot be bothered. 1. Jai la flemme denvoyer une lettre au journal.

avoir la frite
idiom. be in shape

avoir la frousse
idiom. be scared stiff; be scared to death

avoir la gerbe
idiom. feel nauseous (n.b.: gerber in French means to vomit, puke, or throw up)

avoir la haine
idiom. be angry, disgusted

avoir la manie de
idiom. be fanatical about

avoir la patate
idiom. be in shape

avoir la pche
idiom. feel energetic; feel energized

avoir la tte en ailleurs
idiom. be elsewhere mentally

avoir le bourdon
idiom. feel down; be depressed; have the blues (lit.: to have the bumblebee)

avoir le bras long
idiom. have pull; have influence

avoir le cafard
idiom. be down in the dumps; have the blues (lit.: to have the cockroach)

avoir le coeur sur la main
idiom. be kindhearted; give the shirt off ones back; wear ones heart on ones sleeve (lit.: have the heart in the hand)

avoir le cur sur les lvres
idiom. wear ones heart on ones sleeve (lit.: have the heart on the lips)

avoir le coup de barre
idiom. be exhausted; be wiped out

avoir le coup de pompe
idiom. be exhausted; be wiped out

avoir le culte de qch ou qqn
idiom. worship someone or something

avoir le dmon de midi
idiom. have a midlife crisis

avoir le dernier mot
idiom. have the last laugh

avoir le dessus
idiom. be on top; be top dog; get the best of

avoir le diable au corps
idiom. be possessed

avoir le front
idiom. have the audacity; have the courage

avoir le trac
idiom. have stagefright

avoir les boules
idiom. be scared

avoir les dents du found qui baignent
idiom. be stuffed; be completely full (lit.: have back teeth that are swimming [in food])

avoir les dents longues
idiom. be very ambitious; set one's sights high (lit.: have long teeth)

avoir les dents qui rayent le parquet
idiom. set one's sights high; want it all (lit.: have teeth that reach the floor)

avoir les doigts crochus
idiom. be tight-fisted; be stingy

avoir les foies
idiom. have cold feet

avoir les jetons
idiom. be scared; have the jitters; have the willies

avoir les ptoches
idiom. be scared

avoir les quatre fers en lair
idiom. be dead

avoir louche
idiom. be in trouble; have problems

avoir mang du lion
idiom. have a tiger in ones tank; have incredible energy

avoir mauvais espirt
idiom. be uncooperative

avoir peur
idiom. be afraid

avoir qqn aux trousses
idiom. have someone hot on ones heels

avoir qqn dans le nez
idiom. hate someone

avoir quelque chose de louche
idiom. something is fishy

avoir quelque chose derrire la tte
idiom. have something in the back of ones mind

avoir sur le dos
idiom. be saddled with

avoir ton/son affaire
idiom. have what you/he/she wants (lit.: to have someones matter)

avoir un balai dans le cul
idiom. be uptight; have a stick up your ass

avoir un chat dans la gorge
idiom. have a frog in ones throat (lit.: have a cat in ones throat)

avoir un cur dartichaut
idiom. be flighty (lit.: have a heart of an artichoke)

avoir un coup dans le nez
idiom. be slightly drunk

avoir un faible por qqn
idiom. have a weakness for someone; have a soft spot for someone

avoir un fil la patte
idiom. be tied down

avoir un poil dans la main
idiom. shy away from work; avoid work at all costs

avoir un sursaut
idiom. be startled. 1. Ma mre eut un sursaut et me regarda dans les yeux: Tu es fou !

avoir un verre dans le nez
idiom. be slightly drunk

avoir une araigne au plafond
idiom. have a screw loose; have bats in ones belfry (lit.: to have a spider in the head)

avoir une dent contre qn
idiom. have a grudge against someone; hold a grudge against someone (lit.: have a tooth against someone)

avoir une extinction de voix
idiom. lose ones voice

avoir une faim de loup
idiom. be ravenous; be famished; be hungry as a bear

avoir une mine
idiom. look like

avoir une peur bleue de qch
idiom. be scared stiff of something

avoir vent de qch
idiom. get wind of something

avorton
n.m. runt

B

B.D.
abbr. bande dessine: comic strip, cartoon, comics

baffrer
v. wolf down; gobble up, snarf

bagage intellectuel
idiom. fund of knowledge (lit.: knowledge baggage; n.b.: can be used with other words, e.g.: littraire)

bagarre
n.f. fight, fist-fight

bagnole
n.f. car

baguettes
n.f.pl. thin legs

baiser
v. fuck; have sex with; kiss (n.b.: vulgar)

baisser les bras
idiom. give up; throw in the towel (lit.: lower the arms)

balse
adj. hard

balle
n.f. money, cash; franc (old)

barda
n.m. gear; kit; equipment

barge
adj. nuts

barjot
n./adj. nuts

barouf
n. racket

bas de gamme
idiom. low-end, low quality

bateau
adj. old; hackneyed

btir des chteaux en Espagne
idiom. build castles in the air (lit.: to build castles in Spain)

bton de marchal
idiom. the highest level one can rise to; ones limit (lit.: ones field marshals baton)

battre comme pltre
idiom. beat the living daylights out of someone (lit.: beat someone flat)

battre froid qqn
idiom. give someone the cold shoulder (lit.: beat cold to someone)

bavardage
n.m. chatting, talking, prattling

bavarder
v. chat; talk

beau linge
idiom. everyone; a long line of people. 1. Il y avait du beau linge leur marriage.
beauf
n.m. oaf, fool

bec et ongle
idiom. tooth and nail

bec fin
idiom. gourmet

bcane
n.f. motorcycle; computer

bcasse
n.f. silly girl; twit

becqueter
v. eat

bel et bien
idiom. well and truly; definitively; completely; altogether (lit.: beautiful and good)

bent
n.m. simpleton, ninny

beurk
idiom. yuck

beur
n.m. Arab; Arab person (n.b.: verlan for the word Arabe)

bide
n.m. belly; gut

bidon
n.m. gut; belly (lit.: can, tin)

bidon
adj. phony; fake; rigged; sham

bien conduire sa barque
idiom. handle oneself well; do all right (lit.: drive ones boat well)

bien en chair
idiom. well padded; plump (lit.: good in flesh)

bien mener sa barque
idiom. handle oneself well; do all right (lit.: manage ones boat well)

bien roule
idiom. well endowed, stacked

bijou
n.m. pet, love

biz
n.m. business

blague
idiom. joke. 1. Ce nest pas une blague!

blaireau
n.m. loser; nerd (lit.: badger; shaving brush)

blairer
v. stand; tolerate (always used in the negative)

bl
n.m. cash; money

bled
n.m. remote place, hinterlands, small village; boonies, boondocks

bobard
n.m. lie; fib; tall story; yarn

bobo
n.
booboo; cut; injury (n.b.: child talk)

boire comme un trou
idiom. drink like a fish

boire comme une ponge
idiom. drink like a fish

boire sec
idiom. be a heavy drinker

bombe
n.f. sexually appealing woman; hot woman; bombshell

bomber le torse
idiom. swagger; puff out ones chest

bomber le torse
idiom. swagger; throw out ones chest; strut

bon plan
idiom. good idea

bonbec
n.m. candy; sweets

bordel
n.m. holy shit

bordlique
adj. messy, disorganized

bouboule
n.m. fatso, fatty

bouche be
idiom. agape, stunned

bouche cousue
idiom. not a word; mums the word

bouchon
n.m. traffic jam; bottleneck

boudin
n.m. ugly and fat woman

bouffe
n.f. food, grub

bouffer
v. eat; wolf down; gobble up

bougnoul
n.
arab (n.b.: very pejorative)

bougnoul(e)
n.m/f. Arab person; any dark-skinned foreigner (n.b.: highly pejorative, likely to result in a fight if you use it)

boui-boui
n.m. low dive, grubby little restaurant

boules
n.f.pl. hatred; aversion; loathing

boulot
n.m. job, work

bouquin
n.m. book

bourge
adj., n.f. bourgeois(e)

bourr
adj. drunk

bourrelet
n.m. roll of fat (on a person)

bourrer le crne
idiom. brainwash; stuff someones head with ideas; cram

bourrer le mou
idiom. take somebody in; have somebody on

bourricot
n.m. donkey

bourses
n.f.pl.
scrotom; testicles

boute-en-train
n.m. life of the party; live wire

brancher
v. connect; put in touch (n.b.: se brancher means to like; e.g.: a me branche)

branler dans le manche
idiom. be shaky; totter

braque
adj. crazy

braquer
v. commit armed robbery; commit armed robbery

bras dessus, bras dessous
idiom. arm in arm

bras droit
idiom. right-hand man

brasser les affaires
idiom. wheel and deal

briller par son absence
idiom. be conspicuous by ones absence

brioche
n.f. belly, gut

broncher
v. move a muscle; make a move

brouiller les cartes
idiom. cloud an issue

broyer du noir
idiom. be down in the dumps; have the blues

brler (denvie) de
idiom. be eager to; be spoiling for

brler les tapes
idiom. go without stopping; go faster than expected

brler une tape
idiom. skip a stage; skip a step

brler une feu rouge
idiom. run a red light

burkini
n.f. burkini; combination of a burqa and bikini for traditional Muslims to wear at the beach (from bikini and burqa)

C

cest au bout du monde
idiom. its halfway around the world; its on the other side of the world; its at the end of the Earth

cest bte comme chou
idiom. as easy as pie; simplicity itself

cest bientt dit
idiom. its easier said than done; thats easy to say

cest bonnet blanc et blanc bonnet
idiom. it amounts to the same thing; its six of one and half a dozen of the other (lit.: it's a white hat and a hat white; n.b.: the adjective can precede or follow the noun it modifies in French)

cest dans mes cordes
idiom. its right up my alley (lit.: its in my ropes)

cest de lalgbre pour moi
idiom. its all Greek to me (lit.: its algebra to me)

cest donn
idiom. its a bargain; its a steal

cest du bidon
idiom. thats a load of hot air; thats rubbish; thats crap (lit.: its a can or tin)

cest du billard
idiom. its a piece of cake; its a cinch

cest du gteux
idiom. be easy as cake

cest du tout cuit
idiom. its a cinch; its easy as pie

cest facile comme bonjour
idiom. its easy as pie

cest lenfance de lart
idiom. its childs play

cest la carte force
idiom. there is no choice (lit.: it is a forced card/hand)

cest la coix et la bannire
idiom. its a pain in the neck/butt

cest la fin des haricots
idiom. its all over; the game is up

cest la goutte deau qui fait dborder le vase
idiom. its the last straw; its the straw that broke the camels back

cest le bouquet
idiom. that takes the cake; thats the last straw

cest le cadet de mes soucis
idiom. thats the least of my problems; I couldnt care less (lit.: its the smallest/junior of my concerns)

cest le comble
idiom. thats the last straw (lit.: thats the summit)

cest le coq du village
idiom. hes the cock of the walk (lit.: hes the rooster of the village)

cest le dernier cri
idiom. its the latest thing; its quite something

cest le dernier des hommes
idiom. hes scum; hes the scum of the earth

cest ma dernire planche de salut
idiom. its my last hope

cest ne pas le Prou
idiom. its nothing to write home about; its no big deal

cest tout comme
idiom. it amounts to the same thing

cest un djeuner de soleil
idiom. it wont last (lit.: its a breakfast in the sun)

cest un faux jeton
idiom. hes a double-dealer; hes as crooked as a snake

ctait fatal
idiom. it was bound to happen (lit.: it was fated)

a assure pas
idiom. it's lame; it's pathetic

a cout la peau de cul
idiom. be very expensive

a cout les yeux de la tte
idiom. be very expensive; cost a great deal

ca craint
idiom. it sucks

a crve les yeux
idiom.
it's as plain as the nose on your face (lit.: it punctures the eyes)

a fait deux
idiom. apples and oranges; two separate things; two things that don't go together (lit.: it makes two). 1. Linformatique et toi, a fait deux.

a fouette
idiom. it stinks; it smells; it reeks (lit.: it is whipped; from fouetter: whip, flog, whisk)

a le fait
idiom. it's cool

a ma cass bras et jambes
idiom. that was the last straw (for me) (lit.: that broke my legs and arms)

ca mest gal
idiom. I dont care; its all the same to me

a me dit quelque chose
idiom. that rings a bell [for me]

a ne pisse pas loin
idiom. it's nothing to write home about; it's no big deal (lit.: that doesn't piss far)

a pisse
idiom. it's pouring; it's pissing down; it's coming down in buckets (lit.: it's pissing)

a se voit comme le nez au milieu de la figure
idiom. its very obvious

a sent le sapin
idiom. someone is going to die soon (n.b.: said of someone who is at death's door)

a va chier
idiom. the shit is going to hit the fan

a va chier des bulles
idiom. the shit is going to hit the fan

a va saigner
idiom. the shit is going to hit the fan

a vous pend au nez
idiom. its going to happen to you (threat)

caca
n.m. poop; shit; number two (used mostly by children)

cacaboudin
n.m. poop; excrement; number two

cache-cache
idiom. hide and seek

cacheton
n.m. pill; tablet

cafter
v. tell on somebody; taddle; squeal

caillera
n.f. youths, especially of north African descent in the suburbs who steal, burn down grocery stores (n.b.: xenophobic and offensive; verlan for racaille)

caillera
n.f. rabble, rifraf (n.b.: verlan for racaille)

caisse
n.f. car; wheels

carburer
v. live on; live off of (e.g.: coffee, alcohol, etc.)

caresser une ide
idiom. toy with an idea (lit.: caress an idea)

casser du sucre sur le dos de qqn
idiom. talk about someone behind their back (lit.: break sugar on somebody's back)

casser la baraque
idiom. spoil something that someone else has built up; be a great hit or success

casser la figure qqn
idiom. knock someones block off (lit.: break the figure of someone)

casser les couilles qqn
idiom. bust someones balls; bug the shit out of someone

casser les oreilles
idiom. bore; talk to death

casser les pieds
idiom. be a pain in the neck (lit.: to break the legs [of someone])

casser les pieds qqn
idiom. get one someones nerves; bore someone stiff

casser sa pipe
idiom. kick the bucket (lit.: to break the pipe)

catin
n.f. prostitute; slut; bitch (a common word used to refer to a prostitute, slut, or bitch. The word was more common in the 1980s, apparently in rap music, than it is nowadays) (ex.: Il tait mordu de cette catin.)

ce nest pas vident
idiom. its harder than you think

ce nest pas la mer boire
idiom. its not as bad as all that; its not asking the impossible

ce nest pas une mince affair
idiom. be no small matter

ce n'est pas du bidom
idiom. I'm not kidding; he's not kidding (etc.)

ce sont deux ttes sous le mme bonnet
idiom. be hand in glove together

cela en dit long sur
idiom. that says a lot about

cela fait deux
idiom. thats two different things/matters

cela fait un bail
idiom. its been ages; its been a long time [since] (lit.: it makes a lease [since])

cela ne me dit pas grand chose
idiom. thats not much; its not impressive

cent patates
n.f.pl. one-hundred thousand francs (Euros) (n.b.: from the comic les Inconnus)

c'est bidon
idiom. it's false

c'est de la broutille
idiom. it's junk; it's rubbish; it's worthless; it's not important

c'est donner de la confiture aux cochons
idiom. pearls before swine; offering something great to someone who doesnt appreciate it

c'est du bidom
idiom. that's a load of hot air; that's a load of bull; that's codswallop

c'est fini, oui
idiom. enough already; enough (said when telling someone to cease and desist with whatever they are saying or doing; expresses exasperation or frustration)

c'est le pompon
idiom. it beats everything

chabert
adj. coward

chacun sa croix
idiom. everyone has his problems

chair de poule
idiom. goose bumps

champignon
n.m. accelerator [in a car] (lit.: mushroom)

change davis
idiom. change ones mind

changer de langage
idiom. change ones tune (lit.: to change language)

changer de refrain
idiom. give it a rest; change the tune (lit.: change the chorus)

chanm
adj. mean (n.b.: verlan for mchant)

chanter comme une casserole
idiom. sing really badly

chapeau (bas)
exclam. congratulations (lit.: hat off)

charabia
n.m. jibberish, gobledygook

charivari
n.m. noise; din; racket; uproar. 1. Ce fut un charivari indescriptible.

charogne
n.m. vile person

charrier
v. exaggerate

chat
n.m. tag

chenapan
n.m. rascal; scoundrel, rogue

chercher ttons
idiom. feel ones way along

chercher des poux dans la tte de
idiom. try to make trouble for (lit.: search for fleas on the head of [someone])

chercher la petite bte
idiom. split hairs; nitpick (lit.: search for little beasties)

chialer
v. cry; blubber

chicaner
v. quibble over something

chiche !
idiom. I dare you!

chier
v. defacate; shit

chiottes
n.f.pl. toilet; can

chipoter
v. quibble over something

chouchou(te)
n.m/f. teachers pet

chouette
adj. nice, good

chut
onom. sshh

cibiche
n.f. cigarette

cible
n.f. target

cin
n.m. cinema; movie theater

cingl
adj. nuts; crazy; loony

cinoche
n.m. cinema; movie theater

cirer les bottes qqn
idiom. brownnose; polish someones apple (lit.: wax someones boots)

cirer les pompes
idiom. annoy somebody (usually: il commence me cirer les pompes)

clair comme de leau de roche
idiom. crystal clear (lit.: clear like water from a spring)

claquer
v. kick the bucket; die

claquer
v. throw money around (lit.: to flap; to bang; to ring out)

clbard
n.m. dog; hound; mutt (pejorative)

clebs
n.m. dog; hound; mutt (pejorative)

clin doeil
idiom. wink

clito
n.m. clit; clitoris

clope
n.m/f. cigarette

cochonnerie
n.f. mess; rubbish; trash; pigswill; disgusting or foul food

cocotter
v. stink; reek

cogner les pots
idiom. be dead tired; be falling asleep (n.b.: particular to Auvergne)

coinc
adj. uptight; anal

collabo
n.m./f.
collaborator (from collaboratuer,-trice)

coller un lve
idiom. keep a student after school; give a student detention

colporter
v. hawk; peddle

comble
adj. the limit (n.b.: used only in c'est le comble)

comme dhab
idiom. as usual, normally

comme de juste
idiom. as might be expected

comme d'habitude
idiom. as always (n.b.: name of a song by Claude Francois from 1968, which was then rewritten by Paul Anka as "My Way" and sung by Frank Sinatra)

comme lne de Buridan
idiom. unable to make up ones mind (lit.: like Buridans donkey; n.b.: this comes from a philosophical text supposedly by Buridan [14th century] about a donkey tha

comme les doigts de la main
idiom. thick as thieves

comme qui dirait
idiom. so to speak

comme un bolide
idiom. at top speed; very fast (lit.: like a meteor). 1. Il conduit comme un bolide.

comme un coq en pte
idiom. in clover (lit.: like a rooster in pastry/dough)

comme un fagot
idiom. badly dressed

comme une fleur
idiom. unexpectedly; without trying, effortlessly; without a hitch (lit.: like a flower)

comprendre la plaisanterie
idiom. be able to take a joke; be a good sport (lit.: understand the joke)

compter pour du beurre
idiom. not to count (lit.: count as butter)

conasse
n.f. bitch, bitchy woman (n.b.: used only in reference to women)

condamner une porte
idiom. closee off a door (lit.: condemn a door)

conducteur du dimanche
idiom. Sunday driver

confiote
n.f. jam

connatre comme sa poche
idiom. know like the back of ones hand (lit.: know like ones pocket)

connitre de vue
idiom. know by sight

connatre la musique
idiom. know the score (lit.: know the music)

connatre les ficelles
idiom. know all the angles

connatre sur le bout du doigt
idiom. have at ones fingertips (lit.: know at the end of a finger)

connard
n.m. ass (n.b.: used only in reference to men)

connasse
n.f. bitch, bitchy woman (n.b.: used only in reference to women)

connerie
n.f. studid words or actions

conter fleurette
idiom. flirt with (lit.: tell flowers to)

cool
adj. cool

corve
n.f. drag, drudgery, chore

corve de pluches
idiom. potato peeling, spud bashing

costard
n.m. suit (n.b.: often the 'd' at the end is dropped)

costaud
adj. strong; sturdy; tough

costaud(e)
n.m./f. strong; sturdy; strapping

cte cte
idiom. side by side (lit.: coast at coast)

couilles
n.f.pl.
balls, testicles

couillon
n.m. jerk; twit

couillonnade
n.f. bullshit; tall tales; nonsense

couiner
v. cry; whine

coup doeil
idiom. insight

coup de bec
idiom. cutting remark, dig (lit.: peck, blow from a beak)

coup sur coup
idiom. in rapid succession

couper bras et jambes
idiom. take the steam out of; deflate

couper lherbe sous le pied de qqn
idiom. pull the rug out from under someone; cut the ground from under someones feet

couper la poire en deux
idiom. meet halfway; compromise; split the difference (lit.: cut the pear in half)

couper le sifflet qqn
idiom. interrupt someone; cut someone short

couper les cheveux en quatre
idiom. split hairs

couper les ponts
idiom. cut off relations; burn ones bridges

courier deux livres la fois
idiom. work both ends against the middle; have a finger in many pies

courir le cotillon
idiom. chase skirts; chase girls

courir le jupon
idiom. chase skirts; chase girls

courir les filles
idiom. chase skirts; chase girls

courir les rues
idiom. be common knowledge; be ordinary

court sur pattes
idiom. low-slung

cousu dor
idiom. filthy rich; stinking rich

cousu de fil blanc
idiom. easy to see through; obvious

cote que cote
idiom. at all costs; at any cost; come hell or high water

coter les yeux de la tte
idiom. cost an arm and a leg

cracher dans la soupe
idiom. spoil something (so that it can only be enjoyed by you) (lit.: spit in the soup)

crade
adj. dirty

crado
adj. filthy, disgusting

craignos
adj. shady; dodgy

crneur/-euse
n.m/f. show-off

crapoter
v. smoke without inhaling

crcher
v. hang out; hang around; crash; kip down

crtin des Alpes
idiom. ass; asshole (n.b.: regionalism used in the southeast of France)

crtinerie
n.f. idiocy; stupidity

crever
v. kick the bucket; die

crever
v. kill

crever de
v. be bursting with; be full of

crever de chaud
idiom. be boiling hot; be steaming hot

crever de faim
idiom. be starving; be famished

crever de froid
idiom.
be freezing; be freezing cold

crever d'ennui
idiom. be bored; be bored to tears

crever la dalle
idiom. be extremely hungry

crever le cur qqn
idiom. break somebody's heart

crever les yeux
idiom. be obvious

crier comme un cochon quon gorge
idiom. cry really loudly

crisp
adj. nervous, tense, awkward

croir qqn sur parole
idiom. take someones word for something

croire savoir que
idiom. understand that

croyez-men
idiom. you can take my word for it

cucu
adj. silly; corny. 1. C'est trs cucu.

cuisiner qqn
idiom. give someone the third degree

cuisto
n.m. cook; chef

cuit(e)
adj. drunk; sloshed

cul
n.m. butt; buttocks; ass

cul sec
idiom. bottoms up

culot
n.m. nerve, impudence

cuver son vin
idiom. sleep it off (i.e.: the effects of alcohol)

D

dabord
adv. first; first of all

dautres fois
idiom. at other times

dentre de jeu
idiom. right from the start

dun certain ge
idiom. middle-aged; getting on in years (lit.: of a certain age)

dun common accord
idiom. unanimously

dada
n.m. horsey; horse (n.b.: child talk)

damer le pion
idiom. outwit; go one better; get the better of

dans lembarras
idiom. in a spot; in trouble

dans lensemble
idiom. on the whole; overall

dans lexercise de ses fonctions
idiom. in ones official capacity

dans le bain
idiom. in the know; in trouble; in the picture (lit.: in the bath)

dans le tas
idiom. at random

dans les choux
idiom. in a fix (lit.: in the cabbages)

dans les coulisses
idiom. behind the scenes

dans nos pieds
idiom. in your place

danser devant le buffet
idiom. go hungry; go without dinner; skip a meal

dater de loin
idiom. go back a long way

de bon coeur
idiom. a lot, considerably

de bonne composition
idiom. easygoing

de bouche oreille
idiom. by word of mouth

de bout des lvres
idiom. halfheartedly; without conviction

de but en blanc
idiom. point-blank (range)

de commande
idiom. feigned

de conserve
idiom. hand in hand; together; in cooperation

de ct et dautre
idiom. here and there; on both sides (lit.: from side to the other)

de deux chose lune
idiom. one way or the other

de gal gal
idiom. as equals; as an equal

de faon
idiom. so as to

de fil en anguille
idiom. one thing leading to another

de la fte
idiom. in on it [something]

de long en large
idiom. from end to end; up and down

de mauvais poil
idiom. grumpy; bad mood (lit.: with bad hair)

de part et dautre
idiom. here and there, in some places

de plein fouet
idiom. headlong

de plus belle
idiom. with renewed vigor

de point(e)
mod. leading; latest; advanced; ultramodern; peak

de premire main
idiom. firsthand; first-hand

de prs
idiom. closely

de quel bois on se chauffe
idiom. what one is made of (lit.: of what wood is being burnt)

de sa faon
idiom. of ones own making

de seconde main
idiom. secondhand; second-hand

de son ct
idiom. for ones part

de son cru
idiom. of ones own (creation, invention)

de temps autre
idiom. from time to time; sometimes

de tout poil
idiom. of all types; of all sorts; of all kinds

de toute faon
idiom. in any case

de touts poils
idiom. of all types; of all sorts; of all kinds

dballer
v. confess

dbecter
v. disgust; make one sick

dcalquer
v. beat to a pulp

dconner
v. act like a jerk; lose it; kid

dcrocher le pompon
idiom. hit the jackpot

dgobiller
v. puke

dgommer
v. knock down (a target); hit the target

dgueuler
v. vomit; throw up; puke

demander des comptes
idiom. call to account

dmarrer en flche
idiom. start off with a bang

dmnager la cloche de bois
idiom. skip out on the rent

dmolir
v. beat someone up

dmon de midi
idiom. old goat; dirty old man or woman (lit.: demon of middle age)

dents du bonheur
idiom. the upper front incisors when there is a space between them (lit. teeth of joy)

derche
n.m. ass

ds
idiom. starting from, as far back as

des semaines durant
idiom. for weeks on end (lit.: for hard weeks)

des temps en temps
idiom. from time to time; sometimes

devenir chevre
idiom. go nuts; go crazy (n.b.: used only in the idiom "il y a du quoi devenir chevre")

devoir une fire chandelle
idiom. be deeply indebted to; owe a debt of gratitude to

dico
n.m. dictionary (standard abbreviation)

dingue
adj. crazy; nuts

dinguerie
n.f. stupidity; craziness

dire des niaiseries
idiom. talk rubbish; talk nonsense

dire en bon franais
idiom. tell it straight

dire la bonne adventure
idiom. tell fortunes

dire le mot et la chose
idiom. call a spade a spade

dire que
idiom. to think that

dire ses quatre vrits qqn
idiom. tell someone off

dire son fait
idiom. give a piece of ones mind to

dodo
n.m. sleep; beddy-bye (n.b.: used by small children)

don
n.m. gift (lit.: ability)

donnant donnant
idiom. even-steven; fair trade

donner
idiom. sell out to

donner des ailes
idiom. give somebody wings

donner du fil retordre
idiom. give a lot of trouble to

donner lveil
idiom. arouse the suspicions of

donner la patate
idiom. energize

donner la peine
idiom. go to the trouble (lit.: to give the pain/suffering)

donner le bouillon donze heures
idiom. slip poison to

donner le change
idiom. throw off the scent

donner le la
idiom. set the tone

donner le ton
idiom. set the tone

donner lieu
idiom. give an opportunity for

donner prise
idiom. give an opening to

donner raison
idiom. agree with

donner sa langue au chat
idiom. give up guessing

donner son cong qqn
idiom. give someone notice [of termination] (lit.: give someone a vacation)

donner sur
idiom. look out on; look over

donner tort
idiom. disagree with

donner un coup de pouce qqn/qch
idiom. give someone/something a boost; help someone/something get started (lit.: to give a thumbs push to someone or something)

donner une gifle
idiom. slap someone in the face; give someone a slap in the face (lit.: to give a slap)

dorer la pilule
idiom. sweeten the pill; sweeten the deal

dormir la belle toile
idiom. sleep out of doors (lit.: to sleep at the good star)

dormir poings ferms
idiom. sleep like a baby

dormir comme un loir
idiom. sleep like a log (lit.: to sleep like a dormouse)

dormir comme une marmotte
idiom. sleep like a log (lit.: to sleep like a hedgehog)

dormir comme une souche
idiom. sleep like a log (lit.: to sleep like a stump)

dormir dans les cartons
idiom. gather dust

dormir dans les fichiers
idiom. gather dust

dormir sur ses deux oreilles
idiom. sleep soundly

doubler
v. pull a fast one

doubler le cap de
idiom. go beyond; turn

draguer
v. cruise; flirt; pick up

dragueur
n.m. seducer

dresser une liste
idiom. make out a list

du coup
idiom. as a result

du fait de
idiom. as a result of

du moment que
idiom. since; seeing that; as long as

du tout au tout
idiom. completely

d'une force
idiom. really. 1. Il va le regretter, mais d'une force.

dur cuire
idiom. a hard nut to crack

E

echapper belle
idiom. have a near miss; have a narrow escape

chauffer la bile qqn
idiom. get someones goat

chauffer les oreilles qqn
idiom. get someones goat

clairer sa lanterne qqn
idiom. set someone straight

colo
n.m. ecologist (abbreviated form)

couter de toutes ses oreilles
idiom. be all ears

crases-merde
n.f.pl. shoes

crire en toutes lettres
idiom. spell out; write out

lever dans du coton
idiom. spoil [a child]; coddle

lire domicile
idiom. take up residence

elle est bonne
idiom. she's hot, she's a good fuck

embt
adj. annoyed, frustrated, angered

embrouille
n.f. trouble

emmerder
v. bore; annoy

emmerdeur
n.m. damned nuisance, pain in the neck

empoisonner lexistence
idiom. make life miserable for

emporter le morceau
idiom. win the day; win out

en arriver
idiom. have come to this (lit.: arrive at)

en au trot
idiom. on the double; quickly; now (lit.: on the trot)

en avoir gros sur la patate
idiom. be very sad

en avoir ras le cul
idiom. be fed up (lit.: to have had it up to ones ass. A harsh expression)

en bataille
idiom. disheveled; askew; messed up (lit.: in battle)

en cachette
idiom. on the sly

en chair et en os
idiom. in flesh and blood; in the flesh (lit.: in meat and bone)

en civil
idiom. in plain clothes (n.b.: said of police or military)

en connaissance de cause
idiom. with full understanding [of the consequences] (lit.: with knowledge of cause)

en connatre un rayon
idiom. know a thing or two about [something]

en conter
idiom. deceive (lit.: to tell of [something])

en coup de vent
idiom. quickly; rapidly; in a flash

en cours
idiom. in progress

en cours de
idiom. in the process of

en dehors de
idiom. apart from; aside from

en dpit de
idiom. in spite of, despite (lit.: in despite of)

en dsespoir de cause
idiom. as a last resort

en dire long sur
idiom. speak volumes about; say a lot about

en double file
idiom. double-parked

en douce
idiom. on the sly; on the QT

en eau
idiom. in a sweat

en pi
idiom. at an angle (to the curb, when parking)

en faire baver
idiom. give someone a rough time (lit.: make someone drool or gasp)

en faire son affaire
idiom. take care of [something]

en faire un fromage
idiom. dramatize

en faire une salade
idiom. dramatize

en fait
idiom. as a matter of fact

en famille
idiom. in private; privately

en fin de compte
idiom. in the final analysis

en flche
idiom. like a rocket

en grand tralala
idiom. with a great fuss

en mains propres
idiom. in person; personally (lit: in one's own hands)

en mettre plein la vue qqn
idiom. impress someone

en perme
idiom. on leave

en plein coeur de
idiom. in the heart of, in the center of

en plein jour
idiom. in broad daylight

en qute de
idiom. in search of

en revanche
idiom. by contrast

en route
idiom. let's go; let's be off

en tout cas
idiom. in any case

en un clin dil
idiom. in the blink of an eye; in the twinkling of an eye (lit.: in the wink of an eye)

en veux-tu en voil
idiom. a lot

encaisser le(s) coup(s)
idiom. take it; tolerate it; endure it

encul(e) de ta race
idiom. fucker; asshole

enfin, bref
idiom. to make a long story short

enfoncer une porte ouverte
idiom. belabor the obvious; beat a dead horse

engueuler
v. tell off

enlve tes sales pattes
idiom. hands off; no touching; don't touch (lit.: remove your filthy paws)

enlever une pine du pied qqn
idiom. get someone out of a jamb (lit.: to remove a thorn from someones foot. n.b.: this idiom is taken from the classic story of the mouse and lion)

enquiquineur/-euse
n.m./f. pest; pain in the neck

entendre dire que
idiom. hear that

entendre parler de
idiom. hear about. 1. J'avais entendu parler de mon oncle depuis mon enfance.

enterrer la hache de guerre
idiom. bury the hachet (lit.: to bury the battle ax)

entre chien et loup
idiom. at dusk, in the twilight (lit.: between dog and wolf)

entre deux eaux
idiom. under water (lit.: between two waters)

entre deux vins
idiom. half sober

entre lenclume et le marteau
idiom. between the devil and the deep blue sea

entre quatre yeux
idiom. between us; just between us (lit.: between four eyes, the implication here is that each of the two people has two eyes, hence the total)

entrer en fonction
idiom. take office

entrer en lice
idiom. throw ones hat in the ring

entrer en vigueur
idiom. take effect; go into effect

envoyer dinguer qqn
idiom. tell someone to shove off

envoyer promener qqn
idiom. send someone packing

envoyer qqn au bain
idiom. send someone packing

envoyer qqn au diable
idiom. send someone packing

envoyer qqn sur les roses
idiom. send someone packing

pouser la forme de
idiom. cling to (refers to clothing)

et patati, et patata
idiom. and so on

et ta soeur
idiom. mind your own business

et tout le tralala
idiom. the whole kit and caboodle

tendre raide
idiom. knock out cold

tre bout de
idiom. have run out of

tre court de
idiom. run short of; be out of; run out of

tre ltude
idiom. be under study; be under consideration

tre la botte de qqn
idiom. put oneself under someones heels (lit.: to be at someones boot)

tre la coule
idiom. know the ropes

tre la hauteur de
idiom. be equal to (lit.: to be at the height of)

tre la trane
idiom.
be lagging behind; be behind

tre l'ouest
idiom. be crazy; be nuts (lit.: to be in the west)

tre acquis
idiom. be sold on; be won over; be in full support of (lit.: be established or accepted on)

tre au bout du rouleau
idiom. be at the end of ones tether, be; be at the deaths door (lit.: to be at the end of ones roller)

tre au courant
idiom. know; be up to date (lit.: be current)

tre au four et au moulin
idiom. be in two places at once (lit.: to be at the oven and at the mill)

tre au rgime
idiom. be on a diet (lit.: be on a regimen)

tre aux aguets
idiom. lie in wait; be on ones guard

tre aux anges
idiom. be delighted; be in seventh heaven (lit.: be among the angels)

tre branch
idiom. be in the know (lit.: to be plugged in)

tre chbran
idiom. be in the know (lit.: to be plugged in, with the verlan transformation of branch)

tre compltement allum
idiom. be crazy (lit.: to be completely lit up)

tre daccord
idiom. agree; be okay with

tre dans la fleur de lge
idiom. be in the prime of life (lit.: to be in the flower of ones time)

tre dans les petits papiers de qqn
idiom. be in someones good graces; be on someones good side (lit.: to be in someones little papers)

tre dans tous ses tats
idiom. be beside oneself (lit.: to burn all the stops in between)

tre dans une colre noire
idiom. see red; be fuming mad (lit.: to be in a black anger)

tre de mche avec qqn
idiom. be in cahoots with someone; be hand in glove with someone (lit.: to be of locks [hair] with someone)

tre de retour
idiom. be back; have returned

tre dingue de qqn
idiom. be crazy about someone

tre dur la dtente
idiom. be tight-fisted; be stingy

tre en boule
idiom. be hopping mad; be furious

tre en panne
idiom. be broke; be malfunctioning; be out of order

tre en retard
idiom. be late

tre en train de
idiom. be in the process of; be doing

tre facile vivre
idiom. be easy to get along with

tre fichu
idiom. be done for; be done in

tre fort
idiom. do well; be well

tre gav
idiom. be fed up

tre grand temps
idiom. be high time

tre habill comme las de pique
idiom. be dressed like a scarecrow; be dressed any which way

tre jet(e)
idiom. be crazy; be cracked

tre le dindon de la farce
idiom. play the fool; be the goat

tre les bienvenues
idiom. be welcome

tre miro
idiom. be myopic; be near-sighted

tre mordu(e) de qqn ou qch
idiom. have a crush on someone or something (lit.: to be bitten by someone or something. n.b.: when used with a thing, the thing is specified, otherwise, a person is assume

tre nase
idiom. be out of it; be nuts; be stupid

tre rasoir
idiom. be boring (lit.: to be rasor)

tre ravi de
idiom. be delighted to

tre sans histoire
idiom. be unremarkable (lit.: to be without story)

tre sous les verrous
idiom. be under lock and key (lit.: to be under the bolts)

tre sur la corde raide
idiom. be in a tight spot (lit.: be on a tight rope)

tre sur le point de
idiom. be on the verge of (lit.: to be on the point of)

tre sur le sentier de la guerre
idiom. be on the warpath (lit.: to be on the path of/to war)

tre sur les dents
idiom. be keyed up; be under pressure (lit.: be on the teeth)

tre timbr
idiom. be nuts

tre un bourreau de coeurs
idiom. be a lady-killer

tre un bourreau des coeurs
idiom. be a heartbreaker; be a lady-killer; be a Casanova

tre une vraie giroutte
idiom. change with the weather

eu gard
idiom. in consideration of; taking into acount

examiner sur toutes les coutures
idiom. take a hard look at

excit comme une puce
idiom. hyper; worked up; excited (lit.: excited like a flea). 1. Mon pre tait excit comme une puce.

F
fabriquer
v. be up to; do

faillot
n.m. brown-noser

fair le tour
idiom. go round; explore; look around

faire acte de
idiom. make a show of; act like; behave as (lit.: make an act of)

faire amende honorable
idiom. make amends (lit.: make an honorable amend)

faire antichambre
idiom. wait humbly or patiently for (lit.: to do the antechamber)

faire attention
idiom. be careful; be cautious; pay attention to. 1. Je fais attention au choix des enveloppes.

faire bande part
idiom. go off on ones own; go it alone (lit.: to make separate from the group)

faire bon march de
idiom. take little account of

faire bon mnage
idiom. get along well

faire bouillir la marmite
idiom. bring home the bacon; be the breadwinner

faire caca
idiom. go poop; make a number two

faire cavalier seul
idiom. go it alone

faire cavalier seul
idiom. go it alone (lit.: be a lone rider)

faire chanter
idiom. blackmail (lit.: to make [someone] sing)

faire chou blanc
idiom. draw a blank (lit.: make a white cabbage)

faire coup double
idiom. kill two birds with one stone

faire damner
idiom. drive someone crazy

faire danser lanse du panier
idiom. pad the bill

faire de faons
idiom. make a fuss

faire de gaffes
idiom. make a mistake; do something foolish

faire de lauto-stop
idiom. hickhike; thumb a ride

faire de lclat
idiom. create a stir

faire de la route
idiom. make good progress (on a trip)

faire de vieux os
idiom. live to a ripe old age

faire des btises
idiom. make a fool of one's self. 1. Chez les riches, un homme qui s'amuse fait des btises.

faire des courses
idiom. go shopping; do the shopping

faire des dtours
idiom. meander; twist about; wind

faire des conomies
idiom. put money aside; save a bit

faire des conomies de bouts de chandelle
idiom. pinch pennies; be very stingy

faire des conomies de bouts de ficelle
idiom. pinch pennies; be very stingy

faire des histoires
idiom. make a fuss; carry on

faire des siennes
idiom. be up to ones old tricks

faire dodo
idiom. sleep, be asleep

faire du bruit
idiom. cause a stir

faire du foin
idiom. kick up a row

faire du tralala
idiom.
make a fuss

faire cole
idiom. catch on

faire escale
idiom. stop over [in air travel]

faire tat de
idiom. take into account; take into consideration

faire face
idiom. face; confront

faire fausse route
idiom. be on the wrong track

faire faux bond
idiom. leave in the lurch; stand up

faire fte
idiom. welcome with open arms

faire flche de tout bois
idiom. use all available means

faire foi de
idiom. give proof of

faire la fine bouche
idiom. turn up ones nose

faire la foire
idiom. go on a spree

faire la grasse matine
idiom. sleep in

faire la grue
idiom. be kept waiting; be left cooling ones heels

faire la joie de
idiom. delight; please; enthrall

faire la qute
idiom. take up a collection. 1. Les trois marguilliers firent la qute dans toutes les maisons.

faire la queue
idiom. get in line; form a line

faire la tte
idiom. make a face

faire la tronche
idiom. sulk; make a face

faire la une
idiom. make the front page (of a newspaper)

faire l'ne pour avoir du son
idiom. play dumb [to find out what one wants to know] (lit.: to be a donkey to have or get a sound)

faire l'article
idiom. give a (sales) pitch; boost; push (lit.: make the article)

faire le brave
idiom. swagger

faire le diable quatre
idiom. kick up a ruckus

faire le dos rond
idiom. keep a low profile

faire le guignol
idiom. kid around; mess around; fool around

faire le mnage
idiom. clean; clean up; do the cleaning

faire le mur
idiom. escape; go over the wall

faire le pied de grue
idiom. stand about; kick one's heels

faire le pitre
idiom. clown around; fool around

faire le poids
idiom. bear; carry

faire le poireau
idiom. be kept waiting; be left cooling ones heels

faire le pont
idiom. take a long weekend

faire le saut
idiom. take the plunge

faire l'cole buissonnire
idiom. play hooky; skip school

faire l'effet de
idiom. seem like

faire les cent pas
idiom. pace up and down; pace back and forth (lit.: to go one hundred steps)

faire les comptes
idiom. do the accounts; take care of the accounting

faire les courses
idiom. do the shopping

faire les quatre cents coups
idiom. lead a wild life

faire mauvais mnage
idiom. get along poorly

faire mine de
idiom. pretend

faire montre de
idiom. show off. 1. Elle tait en ge de mariage, et on en faisait montre en ville.

faire office de
idiom. act as; be; play to role of; serve as

faire partie de
idiom. be a member of; be a part of

faire pipi
idiom. go pee-pee; pee

faire preuve de
idiom. show; demonstrate

faire qch au nez et la barbe de qqn
idiom. do sth right under someones nose

faire quelques affaires
idiom. cause trouble

faire raison de qch a qqn
idiom. explain something to someone

faire sa grosse commission
idiom. go poop; make a number two

faire sa petite commission
idiom. go pee; make a number one

faire sa ronde
idiom. be on ones rounds; be on the beat; be on patrol

faire sauter une contravention
idiom. have a traffic ticket canceled; fix a ticket

faire ses bagages
idiom. pack ones bags

faire ses besoins
idiom. relieve oneself (lit.: to do ones needs)

faire ses dents
idiom. cut one's teeth (on) (lit.: make one's teeth)

faire ses politesses
idiom. make introductions

faire son beurre
idiom. make a pile (off of someone) (lit.: make ones butter)

faire son deuil de
idiom. give up hope of; write off

faire table rase
idiom. make a clean sweep

faire tout un drame de
idiom. make a big deal out of

faire toute un plat de
idiom. make a big deal out of

faire toute une histoire de
idiom. make a big deal out of

faire trempette
idiom. take a quick dip; swim briefly

faire un chque en bois
idiom. bounce a check; write a rubber check; pass a check

faire un croche-pied quelquen
idiom. trip someone up

faire un crochet
idiom. make a detour

faire un crocs-en-jambe quelquen
idiom. trip someone up

faire un dtour
idiom. make a detour

faire un drame
idiom. make a scene; make a fuss

faire un drle de nez
idiom. make a funny face

faire un effect
idiom. create a sensation

faire un entorse
idiom. bend; stretch [the rules]

faire un pompier
idiom. give somebody a blow job; go down on (lit.: do a firefighter)

faire un tabac
idiom. be a hit; succeed

faire un tour
idiom. take a walk; take a stroll. 1. Un dimanche elle va faire une tour aux Champs-Elyses.

faire une bonne action
idiom. do a good deed

faire une croix sur
idiom. give up hope for

faire une fin
idiom. settle down

faire une fleur
idiom. do someone a favor

faire une fleur
idiom. do an unexpected favor for

faire une mauvaise farce a qqn
idiom. play a dirty trick on someone

faire volte-face
idiom. do a u-turn; turn around

fait comme un rat
idiom. cornered (lit.: made like a rat)

fanzine
n.m. fanzine; fan magazine

fastoche
adj. easy

faucher
v. steal; swipe

fausser compagnie qqn
idiom. give someone the slip

faut pas pousser mm dans les orties
idiom. dont push grandma in the poison ivy

feignasse
n.f. lazy bum; lazy person

fermer clef
idiom. lock up; lock

fermer double tour
idiom. double-lock

fermer la marche
idiom. bring up the rear

fermer la porte au nez de qqn
idiom. shut the door in someones face

ferr glace
idiom. very knowledgable; ready for anything

ferr en
idiom. well up on; knowledgable about

feuj
n.m. jew (n.b.: verlan for jeuf)

ficher le camp
idiom. split; get out; be gone

fier comme bar-tabac
idiom. very proud (n.b.: an expression from the comic Coluche; the original expression was fier comme Arbatan)

filer
v. go; leave suddenly; run away. 1. File dans ta chambre.

filer l'anglaise
idiom. take French leave

filer de largent
idiom. give money

filer doux
idiom. keep a low profile

filer entre les doigts de qqn
idiom. slip through ones fingers

filer le parfait amour
idiom. spin out loves sweet dream

filer le train
idiom. follow someone

filer qch qqn
idiom. give something to someone

filer qqn
v. tail someone; shadow someone

filer un coup de poing qqn
idiom. punch someone

filer un coup de vieux
idiom. make sb feel old

filer un mauvais coton
idiom. fall into bad ways; be in a bad way

fillette
n.f. little girl

fin bec
idiom. gourmet

fine gueule
idiom. gourmet

fine mouche
idiom. sly devil

finie la rigolade
idiom. the party is over; the fun is over

finir en queue de poisson
idiom. fizzle out; peter out

fiston
n.m. son; boy; lad; sonny

flairer le danger
idiom. sense danger

flairer qch de louche
idiom. smell a rat; be suspicious

flambant neuf
idiom. brand new

flemmard/-e
n.m./f. lazybones

flemmard/-e
adj. lazy; useless; bone-idle

flemmarder
v. lounge around; loaf

flemmardise
n.f. laziness; idleness

flemme
n.f. laziness

flic
n.m. cop, police, copper, pig

flicage
n.f. heavy policing; strong police presence

flicaille
n.f. the fuzz; the pigs; the cops

flicard
n.m. cop; pig

flingue
n. gun; rifle

flinguer
v. shoot down; criticize violently

fooding
n.m. tendency among Parisians to eat haphazardly, as they like at the moment

fou
adj. crazy, nuts, insane

foufoune
n.f. bush; genital hair on a woman (n.b.: often abbreviated as fouf')

fourrer son nez dans les affaires de qqn
idiom. meddle in sb else's business

foutre
v. fuck; have sex; put; place; do

foutre le camp
idiom. flee; get out; fuck off

foutu, -e
adj. damned; bloody

frangin
n.m. brother

frangine
n.f. sister

fric
n.m. money

frigo
n.m. refrigerator

fringale
n.f. raging hunger

fringues
n.f.pl. clothes

froussard
n.m/f. chicken; coward

frousse
n.f. fright; fear

fumer
v. be angry; be upset

fumer comme un pompier
idiom. smoke like a chimney; smoke a lot (lit.: some like a firefighter)

fumier
n.m. a disparaging remark applied to a man

fut
n.m. pants (n.b.: abbreviation of futal)

G

gagner du temps
idiom. make up time

gagner les doigts dans le nez
idiom. win easily

galre
n.f. drag; bother; problem. (n.b.: This expression comes from Molire:Quallait-il donc faire dans cette galre? est une rplique de la pice Les fourberies de Scapin). 1. Quelle galre! 2. Il a connu des annes de galre.

galrer
v. sweat blood; struggle; have a hard time

gamin(e)
n.m/f. child, kid; little boy/girl

gang
n.m. gang (usually said of criminals)

garce
n.f. bitch

garder une dent contre
idiom. have a grudge against somebody; hold a grudge against somebody (lit.: hold the tooth against)

garnement
n.m. imp; rascal

gteux, -euse
n.m/f. dotard, old fool

gavroche
n.m. street urchin, punk

gerber
v. puke; vomit

gerbos
n.m. gross, disgusting

gniard
n.m. brat

gnle
n.f. hooch

gnon
n.m. blow (with a fist)

godiche
adj. oafish; lump-like

gogol
n.m. fool

goinfre
n.m. pig, greedy pig

gonfler
v. annoy someone; piss someone off (lit.: pump up; inflate)

gosse
n.m. kid; child

goter
v. try; sample

grailler
v. eat

grande surface
n.f. supermarket (lit.: large surface).

grat(t)os
adj. free, no charge

gratis
adj. free, no charge

gratos
adj. free, free of charge

grave (de chez grave)
adj. really; very; intensely (n.b.: used as an intensifier or to give more emphasis). 1. Il est tar, mais grave de chez grave.

griller un feu
idiom. run a light

grolle
n.f. shoe

gros bonnet
idiom. big wig ; big cheese

gros comme une maison
idiom. very big ; huge ; at a distance. 1. Je lai vu venir gros comme une maison.

gros mots
idiom. vulgar words, dirty words

grosse brioche
idiom. fat stomach; paunch; gut; beer belly

guimbarde
n.f. old car; jalopy; moped (lit.: Jew's harp)

H

haut de gamme
idiom. high-end; high-quality; top-knotch

haut la main
idiom. hands up

herbe
n.f. marijuana; pot (lit.: grass)

heures supp
idiom. overtime (abbr. of heures supplementaires)

Hexagone
n.m. France (lit.: hexagon, so named because of France's shape)

histoire
n.f. problems, struggles, fuss

histoire de
idiom. a matter of

I

il en est ainsi
idiom. thats the way it is

il en perd pas une miette
idiom. he doesn't miss a thing; nothing gets by him

il est connu comme le loup blanc
idiom. he is known all over (lit.: he is known like the white wolf)

il est fleur bleue
idiom. he is naive; he is sentimental

il fait un temps ne pas mettre le nez dehors
idiom. its horrible weather outside

il fait un temps de chien
idiom. the weather is terrible

il nen est rien
idiom. nothing of the sort

il ny a pas le feu au lac
idiom. calm down; no rush; wheres the fire (n.b.: used in Switzerland, not France)

il n'y a pas le feu
idiom. calm down; no rush; where's the fire (n.b.: used mostly in Switzerland)

il pleut des cordes
idiom. its raining cats and dogs (lit.: its raining in ropes)

il sagit de
idiom. have to do with; comes to

il sappelle reviens
idiom. something said when lending something to someone

il tombe des hallebardes
idiom. its raining cats and dogs (lit.: halbreds are falling; n.b.: note: hallebardes among other things can be used in this idiom)

il vous en cuira
idiom. youll be sorry; youll regret it

il y a anguille sous roche
idiom. theres something in the wind; theres a catch (lit.: there is an eel under a rock)

il y a du beau monde
idiom. be stacked; be well endowed; have big boobs

il y avait une fois
idiom. once upon a time (lit.: there once was a time)

il y va de
idiom. its a question of; what is at stake is (lit.: it goes for)

invit d'honneur
idiom. guest of honor

ir fort
idiom. do well; be well

J

jen mettrais ma main couper
idiom. Id stake my life on it

jen mettrais ma main au feu
idiom. Id stake my life on it

jacasser
v. talk a lot; blab

jamais de la vie
idiom. never; not on your life

je ne te demande pas lheure quil est
idiom. mind your own business; its none of your business; who asked you?

je vous ai/tai demand lheure?
idiom. was I talking to you? (lit.: Did I ask you the time?)

je vous en donne mon billet
idiom. you can take my word for it

jeter de lhuile sur le feu
idiom. stir up a quarrel; add fuel to the fire

jeter largent par les fentres
idiom. squander money; throw money out the window

jeter un coup doeil
idiom. look around

joint
n.m. joint; spliff (of marijuana)

jouer chat
idiom. play tag (lit.: to play cat; n.b.: cest toi le chat means youre it in the game)

jouer la comdie
idiom. put on an act

jouer son joker
idiom. play one's trump card

journal de cul
idiom. porn magazine; dirty magazine (lit.: magazine of the ass)

K

ken
v. fuck (verlan for niquer)

keuf
v. fuck (verlan for fuck from English)

keum
n.m. guy; pal; buddy; fellow (verlan for the slang word mec)

kif(f)er
v. get high on; get off on

kiffer
v. like

kif-kif
adj. all the same

kiki
n.m. dick; peter; willie (n.b.: children's usage)

L

laffaire est dans le sac
idiom. its in the bag (lit.: the matter is in the sack)

lchapper belle
idiom. have a close call; make a narrow escape

lembarras du choix
idiom. too much to choose from

lemporter sur
idiom. get the better of; win out over

lesprit de lescalier
idiom. belated wit

lt de la Saint-Martin
idiom. Indian summer

la barbe
idiom. damn; blast (lit.: the beard; n.b.: introjection but not vulgar)

la belle affaire
idiom. big deal; so what (lit.: the nice matter)

la belle avance
idiom. a lot of good that will do (lit.: the nice advance; n.b.: ironic)

la belle saison
idiom. warm weather; warm months

la bte noire
idiom. a pet peeve (lit.: the black creature)

la court chelle
idiom. a boost; a hand up; a leg up

la fable de la ville
idiom. a laughingstock

la fable du quartier
idiom. a laughingstock

la fin de fins
idiom. at the end; in the end; ultimately

la moutarde lui monte au nez
idiom. he/she is getting angry

la plupart de(s)
idiom. most, most of, the majority of

la vache
idiom. wow

laisse bton
idiom. let it go; drop it; forget it (verlan for the idiom laisse tomber)

laisse pisser
idiom. forget it; let it go (lit.: let it piss)

laisser de ct
idiom. set aside; put aside; leave

lapin
n.m. kid, child

lascar
n.m. shrewd dude, great guy; no-good bum

lasser la bride sur le cou
idiom. give someone a free hand; leave someone a free hand; give someone free reign

l'avoir dans les dents
idiom. be screwed

le bruit court
idiom. rumor has it

le cas chant
idiom. if need be

le champ est libre
idiom. the coast is clear

le chemin saint Jacques
idiom. the Milky Way (from the legend that sas the remains of saint James were discovered at Compostella in Galicia, Spain, by bishop Theodomir, who

le coup de foudre
idiom. love at first sight

le coup de ltrier
idiom. one for the road

le dessous des cartes
idiom. what goes on behind the scenes

le dessous des carts
idiom. the real story

le dessus du panier
idiom. the cream of the crop; the pick of the litter

le droit chemin
idiom. the straight and narrow

le fin fond de
idiom. the depths of

le fin mot de lhistoire
idiom. the real point to the story

le plus clair de
idiom. the greater part of (lit.: the clearer of)

le pour et le contre
idiom. the pros and the cons

lche-bottes
n.m. ass-kisser, suck-up

lche-cul
n.m. kiss ass; ass kisser; suck-up

lche-vitrines
idiom. window-shopping (lit.: licking windows)

les carottes sont cuites
idiom. your goose is cooked; youre (were) done for (lit.: the carrots are cooked)

les coins et recoins
idiom. the ins and outs

les deux font la paire
idiom. they are two of a kind

les doigts dans le nez
idiom. easily

les faux frais
idiom. incidentals

les mains en jumelles sur ses yeux
idiom. hands making binoculars over his eyes

lever le nez
idiom. raise ones head

lve-tard
n.m. sleepy head, someone who cannot wake up early

loloches
n.m.pl. tits, breasts

lolos
n.m.pl. tits, breasts

louche
idiom. fishy, shifty

loufoque
adj. crazy person; nut

lune
n.f. buttocks

M

ma tante est l
idiom. have one's period; be menstruating; be on the rag

macache
n..f. not likely, dream on (from Algerian argot, makans, there is not)

machin
n.m. thingamajig; thing; whats his name

magot
n.m. loot; nest egg, savings; pile, tidy sum

maille
n.f. money, cash

mal propos
idiom. at the wrong time; at a bad time

mal baise
n.f. frigid bitch

malabar
n.m. muscleman

malin
n.m/f. troublesome person

manger loeil
idiom. eat for free

manger comme un cochon
idiom. be a messy eater

manger de la vache enrage
idiom. go through hard times; have very lean times

manger du bout des dents
idiom. pick at one's food; eat half-heartedly (lit.: eat from the tips of the teeth)

manger les pissenlits par la racine
idiom. push up daisies; be dead

manger sur le pouce
idiom. have a bite to eat; eat on the run

manouche
n.m/f. gypsy; gypsey language

marche comme sur des roulettes
idiom. go smoothy; go like clockwork (lit.: go as though on casters)

marcher cot de ses pompes
idiom. be out of it (lit.: walk next to one's shoes)

Marie couches-toi-l
idiom. easy lay; a woman who will sleep with anyone

marquer un tournant
idiom. make a turning point

mter
v. get a look at; get a load of

maton, -ne
n.m/f. prison guard

matos (m)
n.m. equipment; gear

matou (m)
n.m. cat; tomcat

mauvais plan
idiom. bad idea

mec (m)
n.m. guy, fellow

mcano
n.m. mechanic; grease monkey

mcnat de competence
idiom. do something for free in exchange for getting credit for having done it (lit.: partronage competence)

mener la baguette
idiom. rule with an iron hand; boss around (lit.: lead with a rod)

merde
n.f. shit

metro-boulot-dodo
idiom. train-work-sleep (n.b.: said of the life of a hardworking Parisian who has only time for these three things)

mettre la porte
idiom. show someone out; show someone the door

mettre au fait
idiom. make aware

mettre au piquet
idiom. make someone stand in the corner

mettre au point
idiom. create

mettre des btons dans les roues de qqn
idiom. throw a monkey wrench into someones busy

mettre en action
idiom. put into action; set in action

mettre en gage
idiom. pawn

mettre en rang
idiom. line up

mettre en route
idiom. start; set in motion; get underway

mettre la clef sous la porte
idiom. close down a business; stop a professional activity

mettre la gomme
idiom. accelerate

mettre la main sur
idiom. get one's hands on; lay one's hands on; collar

mettre le doigt dans l'oeil
idiom. have a problem; have another thing coming

mettre qqn en bote
idiom. make fun of someone; pull someones leg

mettre qqn. au parfum
idiom. give someone the lowdown

meuf
n.f. girl, woman

mijoter
v. cook up; hatch (a plot)

mijoter
v. prepare (e.g.: a bad joke; the word has the connotation of sth mischevous)

mille millions de mille sabords
idiom. damn; drat (n.b.: from Capitaine Haddock in Tintin; rarely used nowadays but well known)

mimi
adj. cute; adorable

minable
adj. hopeless, useless, pathetic

mince
exclam. damn; drat (lit.: thin; this is a mild explictive)

mince
exclam.
drat; darn; blow (it); wow

minet
n.f. cat, pussycat; pussy (female genitalia)

minou
n.f. cat

mioche
n.f. little kid, child

moche
adj. ugly

mme
n.m. kid; child; boy

mon cul
idiom. my ass

mon petit doigt me l'a dit
idiom. a little bird told me; somebody told me (lit.: my little finger told me)

monde au balcon (il y a)
idiom. stacked be; have big tits

monde, il y a du
idiom. that packs a punch, thats really something

monter en chandelle
idiom. climb vertically

monter sur le billard
idiom. go under the knife

montrer de quel bois on se chauffe
idiom. show what one is made of

montrer le bout de son nez
idiom. show up; appear

morbac
n.m. crab

morfaler
v. pig out; gorge; eat gluttonously

morfler
v. suffer

motard
n.m. cop, police, copper, pig (n.b.: only used for police on motorcycles)

mou
adj. flabby

mouflet
n.m. kid; child; boy

moufter
v. bat an eyelid ; blink

moule
n.f. vagina; pussy

mourir dennui
idiom. die of boredom

mourir en hros
idiom. die a heros death

N

ncouter que dune oreille
idiom. be only half-listening

ntre jamais sorti de son trou
idiom. never have been out of ones own yard; live in a cave

nase
adj. bust; kaput

navet
n.m. trashy book or movie; turkey (movie)

n'avoir plus un radis
idiom. have nothing; be broke (lit.: have not even one bean)

ne douter de rien
idiom. have a lot of nerve

ne faire ni une ni deux
idiom. not hesitate a moment

ne faire quune bouche de
idiom. make short work of; set about [doing something] quickly

ne faites pas lenfant
idiom. act your age

ne lentendre pas de cette oreille
idiom. not to go along with

ne pas desserrer les dents
idiom. not utter a word

ne pas tre dans son assiette
idiom. be out of sorts; be out of it

ne pas faire de cadeau
idiom. not to let off lightly

ne pas faire de doute
idiom. be beyond question

ne pas pouvoir saquer qqn
idiom. not stand someone; be unable to tolerate someone

ne pas valoir les quatre fers d'un chien
idiom. be worthless; be worth nothing (lit.: not be worth the four paws of a dog). 1. Pierre, que ne valait pas, comme on dit, les quatre fers d'un chein, devint tout coup un honnte homme.

n'tre jamais sorti de son trou
idiom. live in a cave; live under a rock

nez nez
idiom. nose to nose, face to face

ni vu ni connu
idiom. no one will be the wiser; no one will know. 1. Mais je me dis ni vu ni connu.

niquer
v. fuck; screw

non, mais des fois
idiom. no way; I can't believe it (n.b.: an interjection to express disbelief or confusion)

nonos
n.m.pl. bone (for a dog)

nouille
n.f. idiot; big lump

null
adj. bad; weak; poor. 1. Je suis nulle en math et gomtrie.

O

occas
n.f. occasion (pronounced "okaz")

on est pas chez Mamie ici
idiom. you're not at home (i.e.: you're in a place where you should behave better, for instance not burp at the table without excusing yourself)

on ne peut plus
idiom. can't take any more; cannot do any more

ordi
n.m. computer (from "ordinateur")

oseille
n.m. money, cash (lit.: sorrel)

ouf
adj. crazy (n.b.: verlan for fou)

P

P.D.
n.m. pdraste (pd); homosexual, gay

Paname
n. Paris (n.b.: used in the suburbs of Paris to refer to that city)

panne doreiller
idiom. lie in; sleep in (lit.: a pillow failure)

par acquit de conscience
idiom. just to be sure; ste ones mind at rest (lit.: for receipt of conscience)

par bonheur
idiom. fortunately, luckily

par contre
idiom. on the other hand (lit.: for against)

par endroits
idiom. here and there; in places; in spots

par le fait
idiom. in point of fact

par mesure de prcaution
idiom. as a precautionary measure

parler btons rompus
idiom. talk about this and that; talk about little things (lit.: talk over broken sticks)

partier ventre terre
idiom. leave in a flash; race off (lit.: to leave belly-to-ground. Note that this is used can be in reference to taking flight from a criminal activity)

partir du bon pied
idiom. get off to a good start

partir en guerre
idiom. go to war; launch a war

partir en live
idiom. go nuts

passer au peigne fin
idiom. search thoroughly; go through something with a fine-toothed comb (lit.: to pass through a fine comb)

passer un savon qqn
idiom. reprimand someone; give someone a good dressing-down (lit.: to pass a bar of soap to/over someone)

patapouf
n.m/f. fatso, tub of lard

patraque
adj. slightly sick, ill; under the weather

paum
adj. lost; bewildered

pauvre con
idiom. poor jerk, poor fool

payer les pots casss
idiom. pay the piper; suffer the consequences

pbroque
n.m. umbrella (n.b.: usually parapluie in normal French)

pdaler dans la semoule
idiom. take leave of ones senses

pdraste
n.m. homosexual, gay

peloter
v. grope; feel up; paw (at); pet (n.b.: as in heavy petting, not as applied to petting a cat or dog)

percuter
v. understand suddenly; realize

perdre la main
idiom. lose the lead

perdre la tte
idiom. lose ones mind

perdre son temps des broutilles
idiom. spend one's time on trivial, irrelevant matters

ptasse
n.f. slut; bitch

pter
v. fart; bash, smash, break

pter la gueule
idiom. beat someone up

pter la tronche
idiom. beat someone up

pter les plombs
idiom. blow a fuse; snap (i.e.: become very angry very quickly)

pter un cbl
idiom. blow a fuse

pter une durite
idiom. blow a fuse

petit petit
idiom. slowly, little by little

petit jour
idiom. day-break

petite nature
idiom. delicate; fragile; hothouse orchid. 1. Elle est une petite nature.

petons
n.m.pl.
toes

phnomene
n.m. character, card

piaule
n.f. bedroom

picoler
v. drink (alcohol)

pieu
n.m. bed

pif
n.m. nose, schnozz

piffrer
v. stand; tolerate (n.b.: always used in the negative, as in cannot stand or tolerate)

pile-poil
n.f. on the dot; on the nose; exactly

pile
n.m. bedroom

piquer
v. steal; nick; swipe

piquer du nez
idiom. be tired; snooze; doze off

piquer un fard
idiom. blush

piquer un roupillon
idiom. take a nap

pisser
v. piss; pee; urinate

pisser de la copie
idiom. churn out trash, rubbish (lit.: piss out material)

pisser dessus
idiom. no give a shit about; not care about (lit.: piss on something)

pissotire
n.f. urinal (in the street)

place du mort
n.f. passenger's seat in the front of a car (lit.: the dead's seat)

planer
v. be high; be stoned

planquer
v. hide

plaquer
v. abandon; ditch

pleuvoir torrents
idiom. pour with rain; pour

plombe
n.f. hour (used only at the hour exactly). 1. Il est trois plombes.

plumard
n.m. bed

pognon
n.m. cash; money

pointer son nez
idiom. show up; appear

poireauter
v. be kept waiting; be left cooling ones heels

pomp
adj. pooped; dead-beat; knackered; exhausted

pomper
v. copy (in school)

pomper l'air qqn
idiom. get on someone's nerves

pompes
n.f.pl. shoes

pompette
adj. tipsy; tiddly; slightly drunk

pompier
n.m. blow job; oral sex (lit.: firefighter)

poser un fox
idiom. vomit

poser un lapin qqn
idiom. stand someone up

pot
n.m. luck, good fortune

pote
n.m. pal; buddy

potins
n.m.pl. gossip

pouffiasse
n.f. bitch (abbreviated as pouf')

poulet
n.m. cop; police; copper; pig (lit.: chicken)

pour ainsi dire
idiom. so to speak (lit.: to say as such)

pour comble de malheur
idiom. to crown it all; to top it all (lit.: for the summit of misfortune)

pour de rire
idiom. for fun

pour de vrai
idiom. for real; seriously; really

pour lamour du ciel
idiom. for heavens sake

pour plus de prcaution
idiom. to be on the safe side

pour une bouche de pain
idiom. for next to nothing; for a song

prendre au mot
idiom. do what someone says; take action based on someones words

prendre de court
idiom. catch someone unawares; take someone aback

prendre de la bouteille
idiom. become mellow; grow mellow

prendre lhabitude
idiom. be in the habit of; make a habit of

prendre la fuite
idiom. run away; take off

prendre la fuite
idiom. flee; take flight; run away

prendre la peine
idiom. take the trouble

prendre la relve de
idiom. take over from

prendre le chou
idiom. be annoyed by

prendre le large
idiom. clear off; make scarce; take the lead

prendre son courage deux mains
idiom. summon up ones courage

prendre son point dappui
idiom. take a stand

prendre un bain de foule
idiom. mingle with a crowd; work a crowd

prendre une rsolution
idiom. make up one's mind

presqule
n.f. peninsula

prter le flanc
idiom. attack

prof
n.m. prof, professer

propre-sur-soi
idiom. squeaky clean

pruneau
n.m. bullet; slug (lit.: prune)

putain de bordel de merde
idiom. damn it (n.b.: vulgar)

putain de ta race
idiom. damn it (lit.: whore of your race)

Q

quant
idiom. as for; with respect to

que dalle
idiom. nothing; nothing at all

quelle mouche la piqu(e)
idiom. whats the matter with him/her

ququette
n. penis (n.b.: child talk)

R

rab
n.m. extra, seconds; overtime

raconter des salades
idiom. lie; tell tall tales

radin, -e
n.m.pl. stingy, miserly; miser

radinerie
n.f. miserliness, stinginess

ramasser une veste
idiom. lose ones shirt; lose badly (in an election)

rancart
n.m. meeting; rendez-vous

raser les murs
idiom. keep a low profile (lit.: shave the walls)

raton(ne)
n.m/f. boy or girl (use the appropriate ending, of course)

rchauff
adj. old, already known

recommencer zro
idiom. start from scratch

regarder en chiens de faence
idiom. glare at each other; look at each other

rendre compte
idiom. account for

rendre service
idiom. be of service; render service; do a favor for

rendre visite
idiom. visit someone

rentrer dans ses pnates
idiom. go home to

rester en vie
idiom. remain alive; stay alive

rester sec
idiom. be stumped

rester sur sa faim
idiom. remain unsatisfied

revenir sur ses pas
idiom. retrace one's steps

rien que pour moi
idiom. for myself alone; just for myself

rigolo
adj. fun, amusing

rire idiot
idiom. laugh insanely

rire au nez de qqn
idiom. to laugh at someone

rire en jaune
idiom. laugh on the other side of one's face; not find something funny (lit.: laugh in yellow)

rogaton
n.m. piece of junk, scrap, slop

rom'pol
n.m. detective novel (from roman policier)

ronger son frein
idiom. champ at the bit; barely contain ones impatience

rouler sur lor
idiom. be rolling in money; be rich

rouler une pelle
idiom. French kiss; tongue kiss

rus
n. crafty person; sly person

rus comme un renard
idiom. sly as a fox; cunning as a fox

rus comme un vieux renard
idiom. sly as a fox; cunning as a fox

S

sacheter une conduite
idiom. go straight; turn over a new leaf (lit.: to buy oneself a conduit)

sannoncer bien
idiom. look good; be off to a good start (lit.: to announce itself good)

sannoncer mal
idiom. look bad; be off to a bad start (lit.: to announce itself bad)

saplatir devant
idiom. grovel before; crawl before (lit.: to flatten onself in front of)

sempitrer
v. wolf down; gobble up; snarf

sen branler
v. not give a damn

sen donner coeur joie
idiom. have a great time; have a whale of a time

sen porter comme une charme
idiom. be fit as a fiddle

sen prendre
idiom. attack; assault; insult

sen rendre compte
idiom. be aware; notice

sen tenir bon compte
idiom. get off lightly

sen vouloir
idiom. blame someone

sennuyer comme un rat mort
idiom. be really bored

sentendre comme chien et chat
idiom. not to get along

sentendre comme larrons en foire
idiom. be as thick as thieves

sac puces
idiom. cat; fea bag (lit.: bag of fleas)

saisir la balle au bond
idiom. seize the ball on the rebound; jump at an opportunity

salaud
n.m. bastard; swine; pig

salope
n.f. bitch

saloperie
n.f. piece of junk; mean trick played on someone; shit

saloperie de
idiom. piece of shit. 1. Ah, cette saloperie de voiture.

sans blague
idiom. youre joking; youre kidding; no joke; no fooling

sans bourse dlier
idiom. without spending anything

sans doubt
idiom. probably, maybe, perhaps

sans clat
idiom. quietly, discreetly

sans faon
idiom. unpretentiously

sans fard
idiom. plainly; openly (lit.: without rouge)

sans foi ni loi
idiom. without any sense of decency (lit.: without faith or law)

sans prcaution
idiom. carelessly; recklessly

sans rancune
idiom. no hard feelings

sans relche
idiom. tirelessly, ceaselessly

sans rire
idiom. youre joking; youre kidding; no joke; no fooling (lit.: without laughing)

sans sou ni maille
idiom. without a penny; without a cent

s'arracher
v. leave; split (lit.: to tear oneself [apart])

sauf erreur
idiom. unless someone is mistaken

sauf votre respect
idiom. with due reverence to you; with all due respect

sauter
v. fuck

sauter au cou de qqn.
idiom. hug; throw one's arms around someone's neck

sauter au plafond
idiom. be very, very angry (and surprised); hit the ceiling

sauter du coq lne
idiom. jump from one subject to another (lit.: jump from the rooster to the donkey)

schlinguer
v. stink; reek

se bercer dillusions
idiom. harbor illusions; be deluded (lit.: to cradle illusions)

se bidonner
v. laugh

se bouffer le nez
idiom. be at each others throats

se brler la cervelle
idiom. blow ones brains out

se casser
v. leave; split (lit.: to break apart)

se casser la gueule
idiom. fall down; take a spill (lit.: to break the mouth)

se casser la tte
idiom. rack ones brains (lit.: to break ones head)

se casser le nez
idiom. have no luck; get no answer (lit.: break ones nose)

se casser les dents sur
idiom. unable to deal with (lit.: break ones teeth on)

se coltiner qqn
v. put up with someone

se crper le chignon
idiom. argue with somebody

se creuser la cervelle
idiom. rack ones brains

se crever
v. kill oneself doing something

se crever le cul
idiom. bust one's balls; slog one's guts out

se croire sorti de la cuisse de Jupiter
idiom. think a lot of oneself; think the world of oneself; think one is Gods gift to the world (lit.: believe oneself to have come from the hip of Jupiter)

se damner pour qqc
idiom. sell one's soul for something

se dgonfler
v. scram; go home

se dgonfler
v. get cold feet

se demander si c'est du lard ou du cochon
idiom. not to know what its about . 1. Avec lui on ne sait jamais si cest du lard ou du cochon.

se donner les gants de
idiom. take credit for

se dresser sur ses ergots
idiom. get ones hackles up

se fcher
v. get angry; become angry; lose ones temper

se fcher tout rouge
idiom. be hopping mad; boil with rage,

se faire coiffer au poteau
idiom. just miss something doing something; be beat by a nose/hair

se faire de la bile
idiom. stew; brood over

se faire dsirer
idiom. be long in coming

se faire craser
idiom. get run over [by a vehicle]

se faire enguirlander
idiom. get yelled at

se faire sauter
idiom. get laid

se faire un devoir de
idiom. make a point of

se faire un film
idiom. imagine something false; lie to oneself

se faire une montagne de
idiom. make too much out of

se faire une raison
idiom. resign oneself [to something]

se ficher
v. not care; not give a damn

se flatter
idiom. claim; profess; like to think

se fringuer
v. get dressed

se grouiller
v. hurry; rush

se jeter leau
idiom. take the plunge; dive in

se jouer de qqn
idiom. deceive someone; fool someone; dupe someone

se la couler douce
idiom. take it easy; have it easy

se magner (le cul)
v. hurry

se manger le mur
idiom. run into a wall

se marrer
v. laugh

se mettre table
idiom. confess (to the police); come clean (lit.: put oneself on the table)

se mettre le doigt dans loeil
idiom. be entirely mistaken; kid oneself

se mettre sur le dos
idiom. wear [clothing]

se montrer la tte
idiom. go to ones head

se passer de la pommade qqn
idiom. butter someone up

se payer la tte de qqn
idiom. make fun of someone

se prendre une gamelle
idiom. fall

se saigner aux quatre veines
idiom. sweat blood

se saper
v. get dressed

se taper l'incruste
idiom. join a group of people when uninvited; barge in

se tourner les pouces
idiom. do nothing; be inactive (lit.: twirl the thumbs)

se trouver nez nez avec qqn
idiom. meet someone by chance

se vautrer
v. fall; fall down

se viander
v. fall; fall down

semer la zizanie
idiom. sow discord; put at loggerheads

s'en tirer
idiom. get along; make ends meet; manage. 1. Ma famille n'tait pas riche, mais on s'en tirait.

serrer
v. arrest; pick up a woman

serrer le kiki
idiom. throttle somebody; grab somebody by the throat; choke

si encore
idiom. if only; at least

snob
adj. snobby; stuck up

sonn(e)
adj. cracked; off ones rocker; groggy

sortir en trombe
idiom. leave in a rush

sortir son joker
idiom. play one's trump card

sous cl
idiom. under lock and key (lit.: under key)

sous couleur de
idiom. under the pretense of

sous couvert
idiom. under the pretext [of]

sous le couvert
idiom. under the pretext [of]

sous le drapeaux
idiom. into the service [military]

sous sa coupe
idiom. in ones clutches

suon
n.m. hickey

sur des charbons ardents
idiom. on pins and needles (lit.: on burning coals)

sur la dure
idiom. on the [bare] ground

sur la mme longueur donde
idiom. on the same wavelength

sur la piste de
idiom. on the trail of

sur la trace
idiom. on the trail

sur le bord
idiom. not far from, near

sur le brche
idiom. on the go; busy

sur le coup
idiom. at the time

sur le fait
idiom. in the act

sur le moment
idiom. at the time

sur les dents
idiom. all nerves; very stressed out

sur les lieux
idiom. on the scene; on the spot

sur son trente et un
idiom. dressed (up) to the nines

sur un grand pied
idiom. in great/grand style

sur-le-champ
idiom. on the spot; straight away, immediately, now

suspendre ses lvres
idiom. hang on someones words

sympa
sympathetic; pleasant; enjoyable (abbreviated form). 1. Cest trs sympa dchanger avec les autres.

s'y prendre
idiom. manage; go about [doing something]

s'y prendre comme un manche
idiom. do something in a clumsy way; be clumsy about something

T

ta gueule
idiom. shut up

ta mre dans un kinder
idiom. your mama

taf, taffe
n.m/f. job; work

tafiole
n.m/f. wimp, wuss

tar, -e
n.m/f. idiot, twit

tarin
n.m. nose

tarlouse
n. gay (n.b.: very pejorative)

tas
n.m. heaps; tons; lots

tatanes
n.f.pl. shoes (n.b.: dogs, sneaks, and other slangy English equivalents exist)

tchatcher
v. talk idly; chitter chatter; chat

tloche
n.f. television; TV; boob tube

tendre l'oreille
idiom. listen intently; listen closely

tendre un pige
idiom. set a trap

tenir
idiom. insist on

tenir compte
idiom. be aware; notice

tenir la jambe
idiom. keep someone from leaving by continuing to talk (lit.: to hold the leg)

tenir la jambe qqn
idiom. bore someone to death; corner someone

tenir le coup
idiom. survive; last; hold out,

tenir le haut du pav
idiom. be one of the upper crust; travel in the best company

tenir lieu (de)
idiom. take the place of; serve as

tenir parole
idiom. keep ones word

tenir tte
idiom. hold firm against

terre terre
idiom. down to earth, matter of fact, mundane, prosaic

terrible
adj. great, neat, cool

tte de pioche
idiom. blockhead

texto
n.m. text message

thune
n.f. money; cash (n.b.: previously, a 5-france piece)

tifs
n.m.pl. hair

tignasse
n.f. hair

timbr
adj. nuts; crazy; loony

tir par les cheveux
idiom. far-fetched

tirer
v. steal; swipe

tirer daffaire qqn
idiom. pull someone through something

tirer la langue
idiom. mock someone (lit.: stick out the tongue)

tirer la tronche
idiom. sulk; make a face

tirer les marrons du feu
idiom. be used as a dupe or a tool

tirer les plans sur la comte
idiom. count one's chickens before they've hatched (lit.: draw up plans on the comet)

tirer les sonnettes
idiom. network; put the word out about something

tirer les vers du nez qqn
idiom. worm information out of someone

tirer les vers du nez
idiom. make someone talk; question someone

tirer une tronche de trios mtres de long
idiom. sulk; sulk a lot

tissu de btises
idiom. nonsense

to peux toujours crever
idiom. get stuffed

tomber amoureuse de
idiom. fall in love with

tomber dans les pommes
idiom. faint

tomber dans l'oubli
idiom. be forgotten; fade from memory

tomber des nues
idiom. be completely taken aback (lit.: fall from the clouds)

tomber des nues
idiom. fall off ones chair; be completely taken aback

tomber en panne
idiom. break down; fail. 1. Mon nouvel appareil photo est tomb en panne.

tomber la chemise
idiom. have fun; get down to it

tomber les quatre fers en lair
idiom. fall flat on ones back

tomber mal
idiom. go badly; be not good

tomber sur la tte
idiom. be nuts; be crazy

tomber sur qqn
idiom. bump into someone

tomber sur un os
idiom. hit a snag

tombeur
n.m. seducer

tope-la
idiom. deal!

topo
n.m. report; brief talk

toqu
adj. nuts; crazy; loony

torch
adj. drunk

torcher
v. botch; botch up; make a mess of

torchon
n.m. rag (newspaper)

toubib
n.m. doctor, physician (from the Arabic word for doctor: tabib)

toucher sa fin
idiom. draw to a close

tour tour
idiom. alternately

tourner autour du pot
idiom. beat around the bush (lit.: circle around the pot)

tourner la page de
idiom. move on from

tout coup
idiom. suddenly, all at once

tout fait
idiom. at all; in effect

tout lheure
idiom. just now, in a minute

tout arrive
idiom. anythngs possible

tout de suite
idiom. immediately; right now. 1. Ils veulent tout et tout de suite.

tout d'u coup
idiom. suddenly. 1. Elle pris son parti tout d'un coup.

tout est fini entre nous
idiom. we're finished; we're through; it's all over between us

tout le monde
idiom. everyone

toutou
n.m. dog, doggie

trafiquer
v. fix; rig; fake

tralala
n.m. fuss, frills

travail de cochon
idiom. messy job (not in the sense of employment)

trs cheval
idiom. be a stickler for

tri sur le volet
idiom. hand-picked

trombine
n.f. face; mug

tromblon
n.m. rifle

trop fort
idiom. cool; super; way cool

trou
n.m. joint, dive, horrible place

trou de balle
idiom. asshole; anus

trouduc
n.m. asshole

truc
n.m. trick, means

truquer
v. fix; rig; fake

tu as le nez dessus
idiom. its right under your nose

tu t'crases
idiom. shut up

tu va voir de quel bois je me chauffe
idiom. you wait or you're gonna see what I'm made of

tube
n.m. great success

tuer le veau gras
idiom. kill the fatted calf

tuer les mouches quinze pas
idiom. have bad breath

turluter
v. fellate; go down on

type
n.m. guy

U

un bon coup de fourchette
idiom. a hearty appetite

un bon/sacr savon
idiom. dressing down, scolding, tellling-off

un caractre de cochon
idiom. person with a bad or nasty temper

un chouia
n.m. a little

un coup dpe dans leau
idiom. a futile act; a wasted effort

un coup de chance
idiom. a break; a lucky break

un coup de chien
idiom. a sudden squall

un coup de veine
idiom. a break; a lucky break

un dure cuire
idiom. hard-boiled person

un faible pour
idiom. a soft spot for

un faux air de
idiom. a vague resemblance to

un feu de paille
idiom. a flash in the pan

un temps de cochon
idiom. lousy weather

un vrai tas de boue
idiom. jalopy, rattletrap, heap (an old car in poor condition)

un(e) perdu(e), dix de retrouv(e)s
idiom. there are plenty more like him/her out there

une
n.f. front page (newspaper)

une fivre de cheval
idiom. a high fever

une fringale de
idiom. a craving for

une histoire dormir debout
idiom. a tall tale

une ide en lair
idiom. just an idea

une tte de cochon
idiom. person with a bad or nasty temper; hothead

une tte de lard
idiom. person with a bad or nasty temper; hothead

une truie ny retrouverait pas ses petits
idiom. this place is a mess

utiliser son joker
idiom. play one's trump card

V

va te faire mettre
idiom. fuck off; bugger off

vacarme
n.m. noise; chaos; racket, din

vachement
adv. extremely; very; really

valer la peine
idiom. be worthwhile

vaquer ses occupations
idiom. attend to ones affairs

veine
idiom. luck, fortune

vendre chrement sa peau
idiom. sell ones life dearly; not give up easily

vielle bique
idiom. old hag; old bag

virer
v. be fired

voir le monde par le petit bout de la lorgnette
idiom. exaggerate about oneself; see things disproportionately

voir trop grand
idiom. bite off more than one can know; bite off too much

voyou
n.m. punk; hoodlum

vu que
idiom. seeing as; given that (lit: seen that). 1. Vu que c'est ta chambre, tu dois faire le menage

W

W.C.
n.m.pl. toilet (abbr. of Water Closet)

walou
n.m. nada, zilch

waterloo
n.m. catastrophe; bad luck (lit.: a Waterloo, taken from the famous battle which Napoleon lost)

Y

ya des baffes qui se perdent
idiom. he/she deserves a good spanking

y'a du monde au balcon
idiom. be stacked; be well built; have good cleavage

yaourt (m)
n.m. gobbledygook; mush; gunk

yy (or y-y)
n.m.. 1960s rock (from the English yeah, yeah)

youpin, -e
n.m/f. Yid; Jewish person (n.b.: pejoratve)

Z

zarbi
adj. bizarre (verlan).

zigoto
n.m. fool; guy, man, dude.

zizi
n.m. sex organs (male or female).

zob
n.m. dick, prick, cock.

zozio
n.m. bird (n.b.: child talk).

zozo
n.m. ninny; nitwit; guy; dude; bloke.

zut
int. damn; drat; darn (mild imprecation). 1. Zut alors! (Damn it).

zyva
idiom. let's go; go on (n.b.: verlan of vas-y).