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FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French phrase of the Day: Etre à la traîne

If you know someone who needs to catch up and get with the programme, this is the phrase for them.

Published: 15 June 2021 15:20 CEST
French phrase of the Day: Etre à la traîne

Why do I need to know être à la traîne?

Because the French often use it to describe someone who is lagging behind, and you’ll hear it a lot in the upcoming elections. 

What does it mean? 

Etre à la traîne is the French phrase for to ‘be behind.’

It can be used to speak of someone who is literally lagging behind, when a group is walking for example.

But it can also be used in the figurative sense for someone who is behind the times. 

During elections, this phrase is typically used to describe a candidate who is behind in the polls, but it can also be used for something that is behind in terms of progress. 

Use it like this

Dépêche toi, tu es encore à la traîne ! – Hurry up, you’re behind again!

Tu es à la traîne, ces lunettes ne sont plus du tout tendance ! – You’re behind the times, these glasses are no longer trendy!

Dans la région Paca, ce candidat est à la traîne dans les sondages – In the PACA [Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur], this candidate is lagging behind in the opinion polls. 

Ce pays est à la traîne en terme de développement durable  – This country is behind in terms of sustainable development

Synonyms

Rester derrière – To stay behind

Être en retard – To be late

Être dépassé – To be outdated 

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FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French Expression of the Day: Faire partie des murs

This French expression does not have to do with the insulation in your walls.

Published: 30 April 2024 10:42 CEST
French Expression of the Day: Faire partie des murs

Why do I need to know faire partie des murs?

Because you might say this about someone you’ve started to spend a lot of time with.

What does it mean?

Faire partie des murs – roughly pronounced fair par-tee day mure – translates precisely as ‘to make (or be) part of the walls’.

This expression is not literal – it is the French equivalent of ‘being part of the furniture’. It means that someone has been hanging around a lot, so much so that their presence has become normal and expected.

French people sometimes also say faire partie des meubles, but murs is more common than meubles (furniture).

Just as you would use it in English, you might use this to talk about a growing familiarity with a close friend or romantic partner. 

In French you can also use this expression in a more abstract way to describe an omnipresent concept. For example, you could say la superstition fait partie des murs de notre maison if you come from a very superstitious family. 

Use it like this

Il fait partie des murs maintenant. On voit ton copain pratiquement tous les week-ends. – He’s part of the furniture now. We see your boyfriend practically every weekend.

Dans ma famille, les discussions politiques font partie des murs. Mais ne t’inquiète pas, tout le monde est gentil. – Political discussion is the norm in my family. But don’t worry, everyone is nice.

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