Unit+11

French Phrases

Here's a list of French phrases and sayings that are used in English often enough to have become part of the language. Many of these relate to those French preoccupations, fashion and food.
 * À la carte || On the menu, with each dish priced. ||
 * À la mode || Fashionable; also, in the USA, with ice cream. ||
 * Aide-mémoire || An aid to memory. ||
 * Art nouveau || a style of art developed towards the end of the 19th century. It is characterized by ornamentation based on organic or foliate forms and by its asymmetric and curvaceous lines. ||
 * Au contraire || To the contrary. Often used with an arch or rather camp form of delivery. ||
 * Au naturel || Undressed or 'in a natural state'. ||
 * Au pair || A young foreigner, usually female, who undertakes domestic tasks in exchange for accommodation. ||
 * Au revoir || Farewell for the time being. Sometimes given in English in the jokey //au reservoir// version. ||
 * Avant garde || The pioneers or innovators in art in a particular period. Also, a military term, meaning //vanguard// or //advance guard//. ||
 * Carte blanche || Having free rein to choose whatever course of action you want. ||
 * Cause célèbre || An issue arousing widespread controversy or debate. An English invention, rarely used in France. ||
 * C'est la vie || //That's life// or //such is life//. Often used in disappointed resignation following some bad fortune. ||
 * Coup d'état || An abrupt overthrow of a government through unconstitutional means, for example, by force, or by occupation of government structures during the leader's absence. ||
 * Coup de grâce || Originally a blow by which one condemned or mortally wounded is 'put out of his misery'. Figuratively, a finishing stroke, one that settles or puts an end to something. ||
 * Crème de la crème || The //best of the best//. Literally the //cream of the cream//. ||
 * Cul-de-sac || A thoroughfare that is closed at one end - a blind alley. Also, figuratively, a venture leading to no successful outcome. ||
 * Déjà vu || The feeling of having seen or experienced something before. Literally '//already seen//'. ||
 * Double entendre || A word or phrase that has a double meaning - one of which is often vulgar or sexual in nature. A staple form of British toilet humour - //Carry On// films would be virtually silent without it. For example, see '//gone for a P//' in wee-wee. ||
 * En route || On the way. ||
 * Esprit de corps || The regard entertained by the members of a group, especially a military unit, for the honour and interests of the group as a whole. Literally, '//spirit of the corps//'. ||
 * Fait accompli || An irreversible action that has happened before those affected by it knew of its existence. ||
 * Faux pas || A social blunder, causing embarrassment or loss of reputation. Literally, a '//false step//'. ||
 * Femme fatale || A dangerously attractive woman. ||
 * Grand prix || The premier events of several sports, especially the races in the Formula I motor racing championship. Literally, '//grand prize//'. ||
 * Haute couture || Trend-setting high fashion. Also, the collective name for the leading dressmakers and designers. ||
 * Hors d'oeuvres || An extra dish served as a relish to whet the appetite, normally at the start of a meal. ||
 * Je ne sais quoi || An indescribable or inexpressible something. Literally, 'I know not what'. ||
 * Laissez-faire || The principle that government should not interfere with the action of individuals. Also, more generally, a policy of indulgence towards the actions of others. Literally, '//let (people) do (as they think best)//'. ||
 * Merci beaucoup || Thank you very much. ||
 * Nom de plume || An assumed name under which a person writes or publishes. Literally, '//pen name//'. ||
 * Pièce de résistance || The best part or feature of something, especially of a meal. ||
 * Pot-pourri || A mixture of dried petals of different flowers mixed with spices, kept in a jar for its perfume. Also, a stew made from a variety of meats cooked together. By extension, any collection of miscellaneous items. ||
 * Sacré bleu || This general mild exclamation of shock is the archetypal French phrase, as viewed by the English. No portrayal of a stage Frenchman in an English farce could be complete without a character in a beret and striped jumper, shrugging his shoulders and muttering 'Sacré bleu!'. Literally, '//holy blue//', which refers to the colour associated with the Virgin Mary. ||
 * Sang-froid || Coolness, indifference. Literally, '//cold blood//'. ||
 * Savoir-faire || Social grace; means know-how in French. ||
 * Tête-à-tête || A private meeting between two people. Literally, '//head-to-head//'. ||
 * Tour de force || A masterly stroke or feat of strength or skill. Literally, '//feat of strength//'. ||
 * Vis-à-vis || In a position facing another. Literally 'face to face'. Often now used in the sense of 'in relation to'. ||