4 simple idiomatic travel expressions in French

Have you got the ‘vent en poupe”!

Check out 4 simple idiomatic expressions in French and sound more french yourself! 

It’s always best to take on board little snippets of learning, feel them and say them out loud before sliding your great new expressions into your own life. 

So . . . have you got “la vente en poupe” or not?

Today, you will discover:

•  4 great expressions with travel in French

•  Examples for you to apply in your own life

•  Ways to easily remember them for your own conversations

Four contextual examples with travel in French.

When we learn a language, it’s always fun to dive into these idiomatic expressions native people use daily, which are fun. However, it is imperative to grasp their meaning to avoid any misinterpretations.

Let’s play with 4 examples to express different situations.

The first one is related to boats and means to leave:

• Mettre les voiles  >>> to leave straight away.

Here’s an example for you:

• Après la réunion, il a décidé de mettre les voiles pour prendre le train. >>> After the meeting, he decided to leave straight away to catch the train.

The following is also related to boats, and it means to settle down, exactly like a boat that stays in the same spot for a while.

• Jeter l’ancre  >>> to settle down. 

You could use it like this:

• Après des années à voyager, ils ont enfin jeté l’ancre dans un petit village paisible. >>> After years of travelling, they finally settled down in a quiet little village.

The next one means the opposite, to leave: 

• Prendre le large  >>> to leave / up sticks

You could use the idiomatic expression like this:

• Après une année stressante, il a décidé de prendre le large et d epartir en voyage. >>> After a stressful year, he decided to up sticks and go travelling.

The last one is still related to boats. When it’s windy, everything is perfect. That is why this expression expresses success:

• Avoir le vent en poupe  >>> to be successful.

Here’s an example:

• Depuis qu’elle a lancé son entreprise, elle a le vent en poupe et ses affaires prospèrent. >>> Since she started her business, she is in a great position and is successful.

Tips to learn idiomatic expressions in French.

To start with, choose one thing at a time and master it. Once you do, you can add more to your list.

Then, say it aloud to memorise it.

The word is not enough. Indeed, if you put it into context with your own example it will facilitate.

Then, you want to practice as much as possible, or you will forget it.

In a nutshell, there is no need to learn a lot. You would better apply your learning in order to speak French simultaneously with confidence. 

In this mini-lesson, you have seen four idiomatic expressions connected to travel:

• Mettre les voiles  >>> to leave straight away.
• Jeter l’ancre  >>> to settle down. 
• Prendre le large  >>> to leave / up sticks.
• Avoir le vent en poupe  >>> to be successful.

I have other mini-lessons about French expressions for you:

4 Idiomatic FOOD expressions 

5 Idiomatic expressions with appétit

What was your favourite expression? Why? I’d love to know.