Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Discover this mystery plate-themed French saying

ShowRecMedia / Shutterstock

Published Monday 25 August 2025 - 14:48 Modified Wednesday 03 September 2025 - 14:53

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The French love using idioms in everyday conversations, however these unique sayings can sound completely bizarre when translated literally into English.

It is useful to understand their figurative meaning to avoid confusion when chatting with locals.

This particular example featuring a plate, illustrates an expression that you might say when someone seems under the weather.

Can you guess the French phrase?

Click to show answer

A) Ne pas être dans son assiette (literally: to not be in one’s plate)

Take a look at our handy language guide to find out exactly what this idiom means, how to use it and the origins behind it.

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Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

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