15 Expressions You’ll Learn from Colloquial French Stories

1. Ça marche

Literal Meaning: "It works."

Colloquial Use: Equivalent to saying "Okay" or "That works for me" in English.

Example: - *On se retrouve à 18h ?* (We’ll meet at 6 p.m.?) - *Oui, ça marche !* (Yes, that works!)

Colloquial French stories often use ça marche in dialogues to show characters agreeing or confirming plans. It’s versatile and can also mean "It’s working" when referring to a device or situation.

2. Être à côté de la plaque

Literal Meaning: "To be next to the plate."

Colloquial Use: To be completely wrong or off-target.

Example: - *Je pensais qu’il était espagnol, mais j’étais à côté de la plaque.* (I thought he was Spanish, but I was way off.)

This phrase is commonly used in informal exchanges and can appear in humorous contexts within stories.

3. Avoir la pêche

Literal Meaning: "To have the peach."

Colloquial Use: To feel great, energetic, or full of life.

Example: - *Ce matin, j’ai la pêche !* (This morning, I feel great!)

Stories often include this expression in scenes where a character wakes up or reacts to a positive situation.

4. Faire la tête

Literal Meaning: "To make the head."

Colloquial Use: To sulk or pout.

Example: - *Pourquoi tu fais la tête ?* (Why are you sulking?)

In colloquial stories, faire la tête is frequently used in family or friendship dynamics when someone feels upset.

5. Être crevé

Literal Meaning: "To be punctured."

Colloquial Use: To be exhausted or dead tired.

Example: - *Après le boulot, je suis crevé.* (After work, I’m exhausted.)

You’ll encounter this phrase in stories that depict everyday life, particularly in work or school contexts.

6. Ça me prend la tête

Literal Meaning: "It takes my head."

Colloquial Use: To be annoying or frustrating.

Example: - *Ce bruit me prend la tête !* (This noise is driving me crazy!)

Colloquial stories often feature this expression in moments of frustration or complaint.

7. Avoir un coup de foudre

Literal Meaning: "To have a lightning strike."

Colloquial Use: To fall in love at first sight.

Example: - *C’était un coup de foudre quand je l’ai vue.* (It was love at first sight when I saw her.)

This romantic phrase frequently appears in stories with love or relationship themes.

8. Chacun son truc

Literal Meaning: "Each their thing."

Colloquial Use: To each their own.

Example: - *Tu préfères le camping ? Moi, c’est l’hôtel. Chacun son truc.* (You prefer camping? For me, it’s hotels. To each their own.)

You’ll see this phrase in casual dialogues where characters discuss preferences.

9. Être au bout du rouleau

Literal Meaning: "To be at the end of the roll."

Colloquial Use: To be at the end of one’s rope or extremely tired.

Example: - *Après cette semaine, je suis au bout du rouleau.* (After this week, I’m completely done.)

Stories often use this expression to depict characters under stress or overwhelmed by challenges.

10. Tomber dans les pommes

Literal Meaning: "To fall into the apples."

Colloquial Use: To faint or pass out.

Example: - *Quand j’ai vu le prix, je suis tombé dans les pommes.* (When I saw the price, I fainted.)

This phrase is frequently used in humorous or exaggerated situations in French storytelling.

11. Être mal barré

Literal Meaning: "To be poorly steered."

Colloquial Use: To be in trouble or on the wrong track.

Example: - *Si on continue comme ça, on est mal barrés.* (If we keep going like this, we’re in trouble.)

This expression is common in narratives involving obstacles or problematic situations.

12. Se serrer la ceinture

Literal Meaning: "To tighten one’s belt."

Colloquial Use: To cut back on expenses or live frugally.

Example: - *Après les vacances, il faut se serrer la ceinture.* (After the holidays, we have to tighten our belts.)

This expression often appears in stories with financial challenges or humorous anecdotes.

13. Avoir le cafard

Literal Meaning: "To have the cockroach."

Colloquial Use: To feel down or depressed.

Example: - *Après son départ, j’ai eu le cafard pendant des jours.* (After she left, I felt down for days.)

This melancholic phrase is common in reflective or emotional stories.

14. Mettre les pieds dans le plat

Literal Meaning: "To put one’s feet in the dish."

Colloquial Use: To say something awkward or inappropriate.

Example: - *J’ai mis les pieds dans le plat en parlant de son ex.* (I put my foot in it by mentioning her ex.)

This phrase is often used in comedic or awkward storylines.

15. Être canon

Literal Meaning: "To be a cannon."

Colloquial Use: To be very attractive or stunning.

Example: - *Elle est canon dans cette robe !* (She looks stunning in that dress!)

This expression frequently appears in stories about relationships or social interactions.