Have you heard of “idiomatic expressions”? These are figurative expressions specific to French, that are usually not translatable directly, as each language uses its own references! Therefore, you need to learn them directly in the language, as well as learning French equivalents to the ones you use in English! Knowing idiomatic expressions is key when learning a new language and it will definitely help you sound like a true Français.e 😊
✍️ Today’s French expression is:
“Décrocher le pompon / C’est le pompon !”
Figuratively (direct): “To win the lottery/To strike gold”
👂 Here’s a mini-podcast about it!
Want to learn more about this fun expression, what it means, and hear some in-context examples? Then listen to Aurélie and Céline‘s related mini-podcast below:
🎠 Some context
In France, there’s a tradition on carousels and similar “manèges”: in the middle of the ride, the owner will hang a tassel on a rope above the children and move it around. The goal then is for the children to grab the tassel and unhook it – the child who manages to get the tassel usually wins a free ride!
👀 How about some examples?
To help you commit this expression to memory, here are some useful examples of how to use it in context:
- – Le nouveau copain d’Aline est super sympa !
– Oui, avec lui, elle a vraiment décroché le pompon !
- Si j’obtenais cette promotion, ce serait vraiment le pompon !
- – Oh non ! J’ai oublié les billets de concert sur la table !
– Eh ben, c’est le pompon !
- De toutes les excuses que mon fils a inventées, celle-là décroche le pompon !
🙌 Now is your time to shine!
Challenge yourself to use this expression in a French conversation or piece of writing, and let us know how your French friends reacted to it in the comments 🙂
À toi de jouer !