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Common&nbsp;French sayings and idioms are probably one of the best ways to make your speech more natural and free-flowing. Learning them matters, especially when you've already mastered the basics, like the&nbsp;<a href="/alphabet/french-alphabet">alphabet</a> and grammar. In today's article, we've compiled a list of&nbsp;French idioms you can use in various circumstances.<h2>The Best French Idioms Related to Animals</h2>Our little furry (or not) friends can be frequently found in numerous&nbsp;<a href="/blog/c-est-bon-meaning">French sayings</a>. And the best thing is that these sayings can mean absolutely anything. Here are some of our favorite ones.<ul><li>Quand les poules auront des dents – [kɑ̃le puləz‿ ɔɾõde dɑ̃] – When chickens have teeth.</li></ul>Can you imagine? Thank god they don't! That's why this popular idiom describes something very unlikely to happen. The closest equivalent will be one well-known English expression, "when pigs fly."<ul><li>Avoir d'autres chats à fouetter – [avwaɾ dotɾə ʃaz‿ a fwɛte] – To have other cats to whip.</li></ul>Or, as English-speaking people would say, "to have other fish to fry." This idiom is mostly used to say that you have more important things to handle.<ul><li>Avoir le cafard – [avwaʁ lə kafaʁ] – To have a cockroach.</li></ul>Would you be happy to have one? Probably not. That's why, in French, they use this phrase to say that someone or they are very sad. Its closest English equivalents are "to be down in the dumps" or "to feel blue."<h2>Famous&nbsp;French Expressions About Food</h2>French food is another thing people like about the country, so there's no wonder why there are so many food-related idioms and sayings. Take a look at the ones we like the most.<ul><li>Raconter des salades – [ʁakɔ̃te de salad] – To tell salad.</li></ul>Lies, lies, it's all about lies. This popular expression means to tell stories or straightforward untruths, especially when someone tries to make their story more incredible. The English version of this phrase would be "to spin a yarn."<ul><li>Ne pas avoir un radis – [nə pa avwaʁ œ̃ ʁadi] – To not have a radish.</li></ul>In English, we can call money cabbage or dough. In French, they might use the word radish. So not having one means being dead broke, like saying you don't have a penny.<ul><li>Lâcher la grappe – [laʃe la ɡʁap] – To lay off the grape.</li></ul>The last one on this list is a beautiful and very French way to ask someone to leave you alone, give you a break, get off your back, and yada yada yada.&nbsp;<h2>French Idioms About the Weather</h2>In any language, the weather is not only a good subject for small talk but also a popular topic of numerous idioms. French, of course, is no exception. Here are some&nbsp;famous French sayings about it.<ul><li>Il pleut des hallebardes – [il pløde aləbaɾdə] – It's raining spears.</li></ul>The first one is a French equivalent of probably one of the most famous English idioms, "It's raining cats and dogs." It's also used to describe a hefty rain. Such a choice of words is because raindrops might look like sharp and pointy spears.<ul><li>S'attirer les foudres de quelqu'un – [s‿atiʁe le fudʁ də kɛlkœ̃] – To attract one's lightning.</li></ul>Although it might sound slightly similar to the English idiom "to steal one's thunder," it has a different definition. It means to attract someone's reproach or provoke an angry response from another person.<ul><li>Un vent a décorner les bœufs – [​​œ̃ vət‿a dekɔɾne le bœf] – A wind to dehorn the cattle.</li></ul>Ah, those poor animals. This simple idiom is straightforward – it describes extremely windy weather.1<h2>French Idiomatic Expressions&nbsp;About Feelings</h2>Many people still struggle with expressing their feelings in their native language, let alone a foreign one. However, using idioms might be really helpful in that case. Here are some popular French phrases that will come in handy.&nbsp;<ul><li>Ne pas être dans son assiette – [nə paz‿ɛtɾə dɑ̃ sõn‿asjɛtə] – To not be in one's plate.</li></ul>When you feel under the weather, weird, or not like yourself, this French idiom is a perfect way to express it. It can be used with different pronouns, so you can also say it when someone else feels that way.<ul><li>Avoir la pêche – [avwaʁ la pɛʃ] – To have the peach.</li></ul>You know those amazing days when you feel great, are full of energy, and everything seems amazing? That's what French speakers call having the peach!<ul><li>Être de bon poil/être de mauvais pois – [ɛtɾə də bõ pwal/ɛtɾə də move pwa] – To be of good/bad hair.</li></ul>We've decided to add both expressions to the list since they're quite similar, although describing two opposite states of mind. As you can guess from the context, the first one is used to tell that you're in a good mood, and the second – that you're in a bad one.<h3>Wonderful French Idioms About Love</h3>Talking about feelings, especially in French, and not mentioning love already feels like a crime. So, of course, we can't possibly do it! Here are some romantic and love-related idioms worthy of your attention.<ul><li>Avoir un cœur d'artichout – [avwaʁ ɛ̃ kœʁ daʁtiʃo] – To have a heart of an artichoke.</li></ul>Some people might call you a hopeless romantic. Others might say that you have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309708229_Emophilia_sociosexuality_and_anxious_attachment_Approach_and_inhibition_differences#:~:text=Emophilia%20is%20defined%20by%20a,also%20predicts%20rapid%20romantic%20involvement.">emophilia</a>. And French people will say that you have an artichoke's heart. Yeah, it might not make sense, but it is still a popular idiom to describe someone who tends to fall in love easily.<ul><li>Être fleur bleue – [ɛtʁ flœʁ blø] – To be a blue flower.</li></ul>This one is a bit similar to the previous idiom. It describes someone who is very sentimental, emotional, and extremely romantic.<ul><li>Poser un lapin – [poze œ̃ lapɛ̃] – To put down a rabbit.</li></ul>Okay, the last one might not be very romantic, but it is still slightly related to love and dating, so we can't skip it. It is used in those unpleasant situations when someone pulls a no-show, standing you up.<h2>Mastering French and More with Promova</h2>While idioms are a great way to expand your vocabulary and sound more natural in a foreign language, to reach the desired level of fluency, you also need to focus on other essential skills, like reading, listening, speaking,&nbsp;<a href="/blog/french-pronunciation">pronunciation</a>, etc. And with the convenient Promova platform, you can easily do it anywhere and anytime you want!Our&nbsp;<a href="/app/french-language-learning-app">app</a> is created by language professionals to help you reach your linguistic goals. Within the application, you can learn French, Spanish, Korean, Arabic, English, and many other languages. Access engaging interactive lessons and memorize the essentials with ease.We focus on bite-sized learning, allowing you to spend only a few minutes a day and still get the desired results. But this way, you don't feel overwhelmed by the exhausting amount of unnecessary information. Instead, you focus on the things that really matter. The application is available for both iOS and Android devices, so you can access it from any convenient gadget. Install the Promova app now and enjoy your exciting learning experience!<h2>Conclusion</h2>Summing up, the French language is full of numerous idioms on various topics for different situations. We hope that with the help of today's article, you'll be able to memorize some popular sayings and implement them into your daily conversations. And that's it for now! We're looking forward to meeting you in the next article.

Common French sayings and idioms are probably one of the best ways to make your speech more natural and free-flowing. Learning them matters, especially when you've already mastered the basics, like the alphabet and grammar. 

Well-Known French Idioms and Their Meanings

Numbers help us in daily life, from telling time to shopping for groceries. When you learn&nbsp;French numbers, you can communicate better with native speakers. Math tasks in another language become easier, and things like handling money get smoother. With this guide, you will learn how to count in French and use numbers in real-world settings.<h2>Understanding the Basics:&nbsp;French Numbers 1-20</h2>Like learning the&nbsp;<a href="/alphabet/french-alphabet">French alphabet</a>, numbers from 1 to 20 lay the groundwork for more advanced skills. Numbers 1 to 16 each have unique names in French, so memorization helps a lot here. Numbers beyond 16 combine the words for ten and a single-digit number, so you start to see a pattern.&nbsp;<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Number</td><td>French Word</td><td>IPA</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>un</td><td>[œ̃]</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>deux</td><td>[dø]</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>trois</td><td>[tʁwa]</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>quatre</td><td>[katʁ]</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>cinq</td><td>[sɛ̃k]</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>six</td><td>[sis]</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>sept</td><td>[sɛt]</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>huit</td><td>[ɥit]</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>neuf</td><td>[nœf]</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>dix</td><td>[dis]</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>onze</td><td>[ɔ̃z]</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>douze</td><td>[duz]</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>treize</td><td>[tʁɛz]</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>quatorze</td><td>[katɔʁz]</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>quinze</td><td>[kɛ̃z]</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>seize</td><td>[sɛz]</td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>dix-sept</td><td>[dis.sɛt]</td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>dix-huit</td><td>[dis.ɥit]</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>dix-neuf</td><td>[dis.nœf]</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>vingt</td><td>[vɛ̃]</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h2>French Numbers 21-69</h2>Numbers 21-69 are built on what you already know and help you form bigger numbers easily. Numbers 21-29 use&nbsp;vingt [vɛ̃] followed by a digit, while 31-69 follow a pattern with&nbsp;trente [trɑ̃t],&nbsp;quarante [kaʀɑ̃t], and&nbsp;soixante [swasɑ̃t] as the base.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Number</td><td>French Word</td><td>IPA</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>vingt-et-un</td><td>[vɛ̃.t‿e‿œ̃]</td></tr><tr><td>22</td><td>vingt-deux</td><td>[vɛ̃ dø]</td></tr><tr><td>23</td><td>vingt-trois</td><td>[vɛ̃ tʁwa]</td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>trente</td><td>[tʁɑ̃t]</td></tr><tr><td>34</td><td>trente-quatre</td><td>[tʁɑ̃t katʁ]</td></tr><tr><td>35</td><td>trente-cinq</td><td>[tʁɑ̃t sɛ̃k]</td></tr><tr><td>40</td><td>quarante</td><td>[kaʁɑ̃t]</td></tr><tr><td>46</td><td>quarante-six</td><td>[kaʁɑ̃t sis]</td></tr><tr><td>47</td><td>quarante-sept</td><td>[kaʁɑ̃t sɛt]</td></tr><tr><td>50</td><td>cinquante</td><td>[sɛ̃kɑ̃t]</td></tr><tr><td>58</td><td>cinquante-huit</td><td>[sɛ̃kɑ̃t ɥit]</td></tr><tr><td>59</td><td>cinquante-neuf</td><td>[sɛ̃kɑ̃t nœf]</td></tr><tr><td>60</td><td>soixante</td><td>[swasɑ̃t]</td></tr><tr><td>61</td><td>soixante-et-un</td><td>[swasɑ̃t‿e‿œ̃]</td></tr><tr><td>62</td><td>soixante-deux</td><td>[swasɑ̃t dø]</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>1<h2>Numbers in French from 70 to 100</h2>French numbers from 70 to 100 might seem tricky at first, but with some practice, they will become clear. For numbers 70 to 79, you mix the word for&nbsp;soixante [swasɑ̃t] (sixty)&nbsp;with the numbers ten through nineteen. Numbers 80 to 99 use&nbsp;quatre-vingts&nbsp;[katʁə vɛ̃] (four twenties)&nbsp;as the base.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Number</td><td>French Word</td><td>IPA</td></tr><tr><td>70</td><td>soixante-dix</td><td>[swasɑ̃t dis]</td></tr><tr><td>71</td><td>soixante-et-onze</td><td>[swasɑ̃t‿e‿ɔ̃z]</td></tr><tr><td>72</td><td>soixante-douze</td><td>[swasɑ̃t duz]</td></tr><tr><td>80</td><td>quatre-vingts</td><td>[katʁə vɛ̃]</td></tr><tr><td>83</td><td>quatre-vingt-trois</td><td>[katʁə vɛ̃ tʁwa]</td></tr><tr><td>84</td><td>quatre-vingt-quatre</td><td>[katʁə vɛ̃ katʁ]</td></tr><tr><td>90</td><td>quatre-vingt-dix</td><td>[katʁə vɛ̃ dis]</td></tr><tr><td>95</td><td>quatre-vingt-quinze</td><td>[katʁə vɛ̃ kɛ̃z]</td></tr><tr><td>96</td><td>quatre-vingt-seize</td><td>[katʁə vɛ̃ sɛz]</td></tr><tr><td>100</td><td>cent</td><td>[sɑ̃]</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h2>Large Numbers: Hundreds, Thousands, and Beyond</h2>With some practice, numbers bigger than one hundred will become simple as well. When you’re&nbsp;counting in French in hundreds, remember&nbsp;cent [sɑ̃]. For example, 200 becomes&nbsp;deux cents [dø sɑ̃],&nbsp;and 300 is&nbsp;trois cents [tʁwa sɑ̃]. Use this pattern for other hundreds, like 600 or 700. When you want to express numbers with both hundreds and tens or units, say the hundred first. So 215 is&nbsp;deux cent quinze [dø sɑ̃ kɛ̃z].For numbers in the thousands, use&nbsp;mille [mil]. For example, 1,000 is&nbsp;mille, and 2,000 becomes&nbsp;deux mille [dø mil]. This rule applies to larger numbers as well. Remember that you don’t need a plural form for&nbsp;mille. If you want to say 2453, you need to follow the sequence by saying the thousands, then hundreds, tens, and units. So it becomes&nbsp;deux mille quatre cent cinquante-trois [dø mil katʁə sɑ̃ kɛ̃kɑ̃t tʁwa].For numbers like ten thousand, use&nbsp;dix mille [dis mil]. 20,000 is&nbsp;vingt mille [vɛ̃ mil], and the structure stays the same for other counts in thousands. Moving up to one hundred thousand, you use&nbsp;cent mille [sɑ̃ mil].Larger numbers such as a million use million [miljɔ̃]. A basic example is 1,000,000, which is&nbsp;un million [œ̃ miljɔ̃]. When you go beyond a million to numbers like two million, it’s&nbsp;deux millions [dø miljɔ̃], with the "s" marking the plural. To express numbers including millions and smaller units, sequence them by saying the millions first, then thousands, and so on.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Number</td><td>French Word</td><td>IPA</td></tr><tr><td>100</td><td>cent</td><td>[sɑ̃]</td></tr><tr><td>200</td><td>deux cents</td><td>[dø sɑ̃]</td></tr><tr><td>1,000</td><td>mille</td><td>[mil]</td></tr><tr><td>2,000</td><td>deux mille</td><td>[dø mil]</td></tr><tr><td>10,000</td><td>dix mille</td><td>[dis mil]</td></tr><tr><td>20,000</td><td>vingt mille</td><td>[vɛ̃ mil]</td></tr><tr><td>100,000</td><td>cent mille</td><td>[sɑ̃ mil]</td></tr><tr><td>200,000</td><td>deux cent mille</td><td>[dø sɑ̃ mil]</td></tr><tr><td>1,000,000</td><td>un million</td><td>[œ̃ miljɔ̃]</td></tr><tr><td>2,000,000</td><td>deux millions</td><td>[dø miljɔ̃]</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h2>Learn&nbsp;French Numbers 1-100 and New Vocabulary with Promova</h2>Start your French language journey with the&nbsp;<a href="/app/french-language-learning-app">Promova app</a> and grow your vocabulary in a practical way. Our platform gives you all the tools to learn new words effectively. Whether for work, travel, or personal growth, it can open doors to many opportunities.With interactive tasks and real-life examples, our lessons help you remember and use new words in everyday talks. It makes learning more relatable and enjoyable. You can see how these words fit into conversations, making them easier to recall when needed.Check our blog for extra tips on language and cultural insights. You can find articles with a list of&nbsp;<a href="/blog/best-beginner-french-books">beginner French books</a> or explore fun expressions, common phrases, and other nuggets of knowledge that enrich your language experience!<h2>Conclusion</h2>Learning&nbsp;French numbers 1-30 and above opens doors to better communication and makes daily tasks simpler. You can easily tell time, manage money, and handle many other situations. As these skills grow, things like&nbsp;<a href="/blog/date-formats-in-french">French date formats</a> and other advanced number uses become more accessible. So, keep practicing, and soon, you’ll be more confident speaking French anywhere you go.

Numbers help us in daily life, from telling time to shopping for groceries. When you learn French numbers, you can communicate better with native speakers. Math tasks in another language become easier, and things like handling money get smoother.

French Numbers: An Essential Guide for Learners

We always wish our family and loved ones the best. That’s why we take every chance to support them, including saying the right words at the right time. One of the good ways to do it is to wish them success in attaining their achievements. You can say&nbsp;good luck in English in many variations, whether for personal or career endeavors. Look at our selection of classic phrases and slang expressions related to sending someone positive vibes for any occasion.<h2>Beyond “Good Luck”: Expanding Your Vocabulary with English Well-Wishing Phrases</h2>In English culture, luck is a&nbsp;belief synonym, a mix of superstitions and hopes for a positive future. Some might feel that carrying particular symbols like rabbit’s foot or four-leaf clovers is the driving force in attracting positive vibes.&nbsp;Besides lucky charms,&nbsp;how&nbsp;we talk may also affect a favorable outcome. You’re probably familiar with a classic, “Good luck.” There are plenty of other phrases to diversify your language and suit distinct situations.<h2>Common Alternatives to Say “Good Luck” in English</h2>Good luck phrases put a smile on the faces of those you’re rooting for, making them&nbsp;<a href="/blog/english-idioms-about-happiness">happy</a> and confident. Look at this selection of common expressions you may typically hear in everyday talks,&nbsp;and in many movies and series.The first one is “best of luck.” You can say it to wish someone success in various contexts. For instance, when the other person is about to take a difficult test.Another word for good luck is&nbsp;“<a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/break-a-leg">break a leg</a>.” You may be frustrated, but we will explain everything in a second. You’re not supposed to break your bones literally; this is just theatrical jargon. This one originates from the theater environment, where saying “Good luck” is considered to be quite the opposite.“Fingers&nbsp;Crossed” has a fascinating&nbsp;history that can be traced back to the 18th century. Initially, this saying was an actual gesture to invoke the favor of good spirits. Nowadays, you can hear this expression in everyday conversations.You may be on your way to&nbsp;<a href="/blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-learn-english">learning English</a> or a fluent speaker who wants to know&nbsp;more&nbsp;about the language. Either way, picking up new words and phrases is super important for any level, as the language is never static. Stop using the same old sayings; expand your vocabulary with new words for different situations.<h2>Wishing&nbsp;Good Luck: Formal Phrases for Professional and Academic Settings</h2>English is full of specific phrases that go well in various settings.&nbsp;You can use the following variants to send someone positive vibes in particular endeavors.“Wishing you success.”&nbsp;It shows support to someone who is on the fence about launching a project or in similar situations. This one is also an ideal encouragement to send positive vibes to someone who’s about to take exams or important presentations.“All the best in your endeavors.”&nbsp;This&nbsp;good luck synonym phrase has a broader meaning&nbsp;than&nbsp;the previous one. The very word “endeavors” here refers to current or future efforts. So, it fits when you hope a person succeeds in various tasks, like relocation or starting an entirely new career.5<h2>Best Wishes: Casual Expressions for Friends and Family</h2>Language never stops evolving, continually incorporating&nbsp;<a href="/blog/how-to-learn-new-words-in-english-everyday">new words</a> and expressions. So, you can often find conversational slang variants of wishing well to your buddies or loved ones.“You got this” is a&nbsp;helpful&nbsp;phrase when you want to convince someone they are good enough to do something. Basically, you’re saying that you strongly believe that the other person possesses the necessary skills to make it in the given situation. You may use it when your friend is one minute away from freaking out before going on an important interview.Another way to say good luck is&nbsp;“Knock ‘em dead.”&nbsp;This means “to impress people&nbsp;greatly, especially with your appearance.” You can use this to boost the other person’s confidence in a reassuring tone. It’s similar to the “Go for it” or “You’ve got this!” connotation.<h2>Cultural Insights: Regional Variations in English Well-Wishing</h2>In many English-speaking countries, distinct expressions are common in a particular region. For instance, if you walk in the streets of NYC, you’ll notice that people mostly use&nbsp;“Break a leg,”&nbsp;“All the best,”&nbsp;“Fingers crossed,”&nbsp;“You got this,”&nbsp;and&nbsp;“I hope you do well.”&nbsp;On the other hand, if you go to the UK, you’ll hear “the best of Britain!”, especially when someone is doubtful about nailing the situation.&nbsp;Interestingly, British English has&nbsp;another word for saying that someone is lucky. Just call them “Jammy.” In addition, other classic variants are common in the UK as well.The Irish have a unique expression about luck. When they wish someone to attain their goals, they say,&nbsp;“Go n-éirí leat” IPA [ɡə nʲeːɾʲiː lʲat̪ˠ] [guh NAY-ree lat]. The first part,&nbsp;“Go n-éirí,”&nbsp; means “will succeed.” The last one,&nbsp;“leat,”&nbsp;stands for the person to whom you wish to handle the situation with flying colors.Australians are known as laid back and friendly. The same applies to their English. What do you think&nbsp;“Chookas”&nbsp;means? Basically, this is the Australian equivalent of the standard “Break a leg” or “All the best.” It’s translated as “chicken.” There are different versions of its origin. However, officially, it’s connected to cultural tradition and is just a playful term for wishing a successful show, performance, etc.<h2>Promova: Growing Your Vocabulary with Interactive Lessons</h2>Are you just starting your English learning path or an experienced one who wants to strengthen your language skills? Join&nbsp;<a href="/app/english-language-learning-app">Promova</a>, a one-stop solution that helps eager learners of all levels become fluent in English. The learning platform offers valuable interactive studying materials with contemporary vocabulary about&nbsp;good luck quotes and more to apply in real-life situations.For your convenience, Promova offers you the following studying programs:<ul><li>Individual lessons with expert tutors holding certificates of proficiency.</li><li>Group lessons with other eager students under the guidance of a professional teacher.</li><li>Online courses with bite-sized lessons for individual learning.</li><li>Free conversation club where you can discuss the latest trends and news&nbsp;weekly.</li></ul>You can download the basic app version for free and start with English fundamentals. For savvy learners, we have something special. Sign up for a Premium plan to access advanced content with more slang and language insights. Individual lessons and group sessions are available on both versions. Moreover, the first trial 1×1 session won’t cost you anything. So, join the community of eager learners! We wish you all the best in your endeavors!<h2>Conclusion</h2>On some days, your loved ones may need to hear words of encouragement from you more than ever. Learn various ways to express your affection and support in English. For beginners and experienced students, it’s a perfect way to pick up new vocabulary and diversify their speech.

We always wish our family and loved ones the best. That’s why we take every chance to support them, including saying the right words at the right time. One of the good ways to do it is to wish them success in attaining their achievements.

Good Luck in English: Common and Creative Ways of Wishing Someone Success

Artículos de profesores y expertos de Promova sobre el aprendizaje de idiomas, educación y experiencias culturales en general