Eight great expressions using the arts in French

Do you “sing like a casserole”?

Learning idiomatic expressions in French can be fun . . . or not, depending on how easily you manage your learning. 

Given that idiomatic expressions don’t translate well at all. In fact, they are quite clunky when translated word for word; you’ll be forgiven for finding it hard to get them to stick in your mind.

So when you want to sound more French and use these expressions, they can get all muddled up!

That’s always going to create a fun reaction, so embrace it - it’s part of the learning and even better when you get a laugh out of it! 

So let’s dive in and take a look at 8 new expressions for you - take your pick of these lovely Arts ones:

• 8 great idiomatic arts expressions to help you sound more French

•  Great contextual examples

• Ways to remember them when you speak French

8 idiomatic expressions related to the arts in French.

You will fun with these idiomatic expressions related to the arts.

Let’s play with 8 examples.

The first one is about singing: 

• chanter comme une casserole  >>> sing really badly.

Here’s an example for you:

• Paul a essayé de chanter au karaoké, mais il chante comme une casserole. >>> Paul tried to sing karaoke, but he really sings badly.

 Another expression in music:

• accorder ses violons  >>> to get on the same page.

You could use it like this: 

• Avant de présenter le projet, il faut qu’on accorde nos violons. >>> Before presenting the project, we need to get on the same page.

The next one is a synonym of having great success. 

• faire un tabac  >>> to be a great success.

I have an example for you:

• La nouvelle leçon sur YouTube a fait un tabac dès sa sortie. >>> The new lesson on YouTube was a huge hit as soon as it came out.

This expression can be used  in so many fields:

• faire tout un cinéma  >>> to exaggerate. 

For example:

• Pas besoin de faire tout un cinéma pour une si petite erreur. >>> There’s no need to make such a 'song and dance' over such a small mistake.

The following expression is also similar to the English idiom and describes success as well:

• cartonner au box-office. >>> to be a box-office hit.

Like this: 

• Ce film  a cartonné au box-office, dépassant toutes les attentes. >>> This movie was a box-office hit, exceeding all expectations.

This one, not only refers to a success, but also that it remains in time:

• tenir l’affiche  >>> to remain popular. 

Here’s a way to say it:

• Ce spectacle tient l’affiche depuis plus de six mois ! >>> This show has been popular for over six months!

You can apply this expression in various contexts:

• être sous les projecteurs  >>> to be the center of attention. 

For instance:

• Depuis son succès, elle est constamment sous les projecteurs >>> Since her success, she’s constantly in the spotlight.

The last expression refers to inspiration with concentration:

• être dans le bain  >>> to be fully immersed. 

Have a look: 

• Il m’a fallu du temps, mais maintenant, je suis dans le bain avec mes nouvelles leçons. >>> It took me some time, but now I’m fully immersed in my new lessons.

Tips to learn the 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 help you remember.

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 related to the field of the arts:

• chanter comme une casserole  >>> sing really badly.
• accorder ses violons  >>> to get on the same page.
• faire un tabac  >>> to be a great success.
• faire tout un cinéma.  >>> to exaggerate.
• cartonner au box-office.  >>> to be a box-office hit.
• tenir l’affiche  >>> to remain popular. 
• être sous les projecteurs  >>> to be the center of attention. 
• être dans le bain.  >>> to be fully immersed.

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

5 Great Idiomatic Environment Expressions in French

5 great expressions using animals in French

What are your favourite French idiomatic expressions?