15 French Expressions That Sound Absurd Translated Literally
French expressions that sound absurd translated literally - "to have a spider on the ceiling," "to fall into the apples" - with their real meanings.
French is full of expressions that sound wild translated literally: avoir une araignée au plafond (“to have a spider on the ceiling”) means to be a bit crazy, tomber dans les pommes (“to fall into the apples”) means to faint, and se prendre un râteau (“to take a rake to the face”) means to be romantically rejected.
Quick answer
French is full of expressions that sound wild translated literally: avoir une araignée au plafond (“to have a spider on the ceiling”) means to be a bit crazy, tomber dans les pommes (“to fall into the apples”) means to faint, and se prendre un râteau (“to take a rake to the face”) means to be romantically rejected.
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For a broader learning-focused idiom reference, see more French idioms explained (a different, non-overlapping set of 20 expressions).
Avoir une araignée au plafond
Literally “to have a spider on the ceiling” - figuratively, to be a bit crazy or eccentric.
Avoir le melon
Literally “to have the melon” - to be full of yourself, conceited.
Avoir un poil dans la main
Literally “a hair in the hand” - to be extremely lazy.
Péter les plombs
Literally “to blow the fuses” - to lose it, to snap.
Avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez
Literally “mustard rising to the nose” - getting angry, feeling your temper rise.
Raconter des salades
Literally “to tell salads” - to tell tall tales, to lie.
Tomber dans les pommes
Literally “to fall into the apples” - to faint.
Avoir un chat dans la gorge
Literally “a cat in the throat” - the French equivalent of “a frog in your throat.”
Donner sa langue au chat
Literally “give your tongue to the cat” - to give up guessing.
Pédaler dans la choucroute
Literally “to pedal in the sauerkraut” - to struggle or flounder, getting nowhere.
Se prendre un râteau
Literally “to take a rake to the face” - to be romantically rejected or stood up.
Avoir les yeux plus gros que le ventre
Literally “eyes bigger than the stomach” - to overestimate your appetite.
Casser du sucre sur le dos de quelqu’un
Literally “to break sugar on someone’s back” - to talk behind their back.
Faire la grasse matinée
Literally “to make the fat morning” - to sleep in.
Il pleut des cordes
Literally “it’s raining ropes” - pouring rain, similar to “raining cats and dogs.”
| Expression | Literal | Real meaning |
|---|---|---|
| avoir une araignée au plafond | spider on the ceiling | be a bit crazy |
| tomber dans les pommes | fall into the apples | faint |
| se prendre un râteau | take a rake to the face | get rejected |
| il pleut des cordes | raining ropes | pouring rain |
| pédaler dans la choucroute | pedal in sauerkraut | flounder, struggle |
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Questions about this note
What does avoir une araignée au plafond mean?
Literally "to have a spider on the ceiling" - figuratively, to be a bit crazy or eccentric.
What does tomber dans les pommes mean?
Literally "to fall into the apples" - to faint.
What does se prendre un râteau mean?
Literally "to take a rake" - to be romantically rejected or stood up.
What does il pleut des cordes mean?
Literally "it's raining ropes" - pouring rain, similar to "raining cats and dogs."
Why are French idioms so food/animal-focused?
Many draw on rural, culinary and everyday imagery, a common pattern across languages' idiom systems.