Q1. How Many Idioms Should I Learn For The TEF?

Focus on 10–15 core idioms that appear frequently. Quality matters more than memorizing dozens, and examiners reward natural usage over forced repetition.

Q2. Which TEF Sections Test Idioms Most Often?

Idioms appear in **compréhension orale** (listening), **compréhension écrite** (reading), and **expression écrite/orale** (writing/speaking). They’re especially common in dialogues and informal letters.

Q3. Can I Use Idioms In Formal Writing Tasks?

Yes, but sparingly. In formal letters, choose idioms that fit naturally and avoid overly casual ones. Subtle use shows mastery without breaking tone.

Q4. What Are The Most Commonly Tested Idioms?

Expressions like *coûter les yeux de la tête*, *tomber dans les pommes*, *avoir le cafard*, and *il pleut des cordes* appear regularly in TEF exams.

Q5. Should I Translate Idioms Literally During The Exam?

No. Literal translations don’t make sense in English. Examiners expect you to understand and use the figurative meaning directly in French.

Common French Idioms for The TEF Exam For a Better Score

November 30, 202521 MinutesTEF Exam, Articles

Preparing for the TEF exam isn’t just about grammar and vocabulary. Examiners love to test your ability to understand and use expressions idiomatiques (everyday idioms that native speakers use naturally).

Learning these idioms can quickly make your speaking and writing sound more natural. Not to mention that they usually show up in listening, reading, and writing tasks on the TEF.

Below is a curated list of B1–C1 level idioms that frequently show up in TEF exams, along with literal translations, meanings, and example sentences to help you learn them effectively. Let’s check them out:

Common French Idioms for The TEF Exam with Examples

Here is a list of 20 of the most common idioms that you’ll probably face when taking the TEF exam:

Avoir le cœur sur la main

Literal: To have the heart in the hand

Meaning: To be very generous/kind

Example: Ma voisine a toujours le cœur sur la main, elle aide tout le monde.

Coûter les yeux de la tête

Literal: To cost the eyes from the head

Meaning: To be extremely expensive

Example: Cette robe coûte les yeux de la tête !

Avoir la tête dans les nuages

Literal: To have one’s head in the clouds

Meaning: To be a dreamer, absent‑minded

Example: Arrête d’avoir la tête dans les nuages et concentre‑toi !

Tomber dans les pommes

Literal: To fall into the apples

Meaning: To faint

Example: Il a fait si chaud qu’elle est tombée dans les pommes.

Avoir un coup de foudre

Literal: To have a lightning strike

Meaning: To fall in love at first sight

Example: Quand je l’ai vue, j’ai eu le coup de foudre.

Faire la grasse matinée

Literal: To do the fat morning

Meaning: To sleep in, have a lie‑in

Example: Le dimanche, j’adore faire la grasse matinée.

Avoir le cafard

Literal: To have the cockroach

Meaning: To feel down, blue

Example: Depuis qu’il est parti, j’ai le cafard.

Poser un lapin à quelqu’un

Literal: To put a rabbit on someone

Meaning: To stand someone up

Example: Il m’a posé un lapin hier soir, je suis furieuse !

Avoir une mémoire d’éléphant

Literal: To have an elephant’s memory

Meaning: To have an excellent memory

Example: Elle a une mémoire d’éléphant, elle n’oublie jamais rien.

Appeler un chat un chat

Literal: To call a cat a cat

Meaning: To speak frankly, call a spade a spade

Example: Ici on appelle un chat un chat : ton travail n’est pas assez bon.

Il pleut des cordes

Literal: It’s raining ropes

Meaning: It’s raining heavily

Example: Il pleut des cordes, prends un parapluie !

Avoir d’autres chats à fouetter

Literal: To have other cats to whip

Meaning: To have more important things to do

Example: Je ne peux pas t’aider maintenant, j’ai d’autres chats à fouetter.

Faire d’une pierre deux coups

Literal: To hit two targets with one stone

Meaning: To kill two birds with one stone

Example: En allant au supermarché, je passe à la poste : je fais d’une pierre deux coups.

Être dans la lune

Literal: To be on the moon

Meaning: To be daydreaming

Example: Tu es encore dans la lune ou tu m’écoutes ?

Donner sa langue au chat

Literal: To give one’s tongue to the cat

Meaning: To give up (guessing)

Example: Je donne ma langue au chat, c’est qui ?

Avoir le bras long

Literal: To have a long arm

Meaning: To have influence/connections

Example: Pour obtenir ce poste, il faut avoir le bras long.

Mettre la charrue avant les bœufs

Literal: To put the plow before the oxen

Meaning: To put the cart before the horse

Example: Tu achètes déjà les meubles ? Tu mets la charrue avant les bœufs !

Avoir la patate / la pêche

Literal: To have the potato / the peach

Meaning: To be full of energy

Example: Ce matin j’ai la pêche, je vais tout finir !

Casser les pieds à quelqu’un

Literal: To break someone’s feet

Meaning: To annoy/bother someone

Example: Arrête de me casser les pieds avec tes questions !

Tenir la route

Literal: To hold the road

Meaning: To make sense, to hold up (idea, excuse)

Example: Ton excuse ne tient pas la route, avoue la vérité.

Bonus Idioms Often Heard in TEF Listening & Reading

Il y a anguille sous roche → Something fishy is going on
Avoir un poil dans la main → To be very lazy
Marcher sur des œufs → To walk on eggshells
Avoir les chevilles qui enflent → To get a big head / become arrogant
Faire mouche → To hit the bull’s eye / be spot on
Prendre ses jambes à son cou → To run away as fast as possible
Raconter des salades → To tell tall tales / lies
Être au bout du rouleau → To be exhausted, at the end of one’s rope

Wrapping Up

As the last words, remember that idioms can elevate your score from B2 to C1. However, to use them effectively, try to use them in your oral answers, as idioms sound more natural when spoken.

Using idioms naturally in a letter or essay can be helpful too. So try to memorize at least 10-15 core idioms for your test day.