French Expressions Vocabulary

ordering individual items from a menu rather than a set meal

“We ordered à la carte to try different dishes.”

fashionable; in style; or served with ice cream

“Apple pie à la mode is a classic American dessert.”

on the contrary; quite the opposite

“You think I'm upset? Au contraire, I'm delighted!”

fully informed; up to date with current events

“She stays au courant with industry trends.”

new and experimental ideas, especially in art

“The avant-garde film challenged conventional storytelling.”

enjoy your meal (said before eating)

“The chef wished us bon appétit as he served the dish.”

have a good journey (farewell to travelers)

“They shouted bon voyage as the ship departed.”

complete freedom to act as one wishes

“The director was given carte blanche on the project.”

that's life; such is life (acceptance of circumstances)

“The flight was canceled—c'est la vie.”

a masterpiece; an outstanding work

“The painting is considered her chef-d'oeuvre.”

an overused phrase or idea that has lost originality

“Avoid clichés in your writing.”

a final blow that ends something; a finishing stroke

“The scandal was the coup de grâce for his career.”

a sudden seizure of power from a government

“The military staged a coup d'état overnight.”

the best of the best; the elite

“These students are the crème de la crème.”

the feeling of having experienced something before

“Walking into the room gave me an eerie sense of déjà vu.”

a word or phrase with two meanings, one usually risqué

“His comedy was full of clever double entendres.”

all together; as a group

“The employees resigned en masse in protest.”

on the way; during the journey

“We stopped for coffee en route to the airport.”

a person who behaves unconventionally or controversially

“The enfant terrible of modern art shocked critics again.”

a feeling of pride and mutual loyalty within a group

“The team's esprit de corps was evident in their celebration.”

something already done and irreversible

“By the time we arrived, the merger was a fait accompli.”

an embarrassing social blunder or mistake

“Wearing jeans to the gala was a major faux pas.”

an attractive woman who leads men into danger

“The film noir featured a classic femme fatale.”

a man/woman engaged to be married

“She introduced her fiancé to her parents.”

high fashion; exclusive custom-fitted clothing

“The designer's haute couture collection debuted in Paris.”

an indefinable, attractive quality

“She has a certain je ne sais quoi that captivates everyone.”

exuberant enjoyment of life

“His joie de vivre was infectious at parties.”

a policy of non-interference; letting things take their course

“The government adopted a laissez-faire approach to the economy.”

a pen name; pseudonym used by writers

“Mark Twain was his nom de plume.”

people who have recently acquired wealth but lack refinement

“The nouveau riche flaunted their money ostentatiously.”

the most important or impressive item

“The chocolate soufflé was the pièce de résistance of dinner.”

the most important reason for existence

“Innovation is the company's raison d'être.”

a meeting at an agreed time and place

“They arranged a secret rendez-vous at midnight.”

the ability to act appropriately in social situations

“Her savoir-faire impressed the diplomats.”

a private conversation between two people

“They had a tête-à-tête over coffee.”

an impressive display of skill or achievement

“Her performance was a tour de force.”

in relation to; compared with; face to face

“We need to discuss our position vis-à-vis the competition.”

there it is; used to call attention to something

“Add the final ingredient and voilà—dinner is served!”

unforeseeable circumstances that prevent fulfillment of a contract

“The pandemic was declared a force majeure event.”

a friendly understanding or informal alliance between states

“The diplomatic entente ensured peace between the nations.”