Learning French

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Discover this mystery winter-themed French saying

Mariia Boiko/Shutterstock

Published Thursday 05 February 2026 - 07:00 Modified Tuesday 17 February 2026 - 15:41

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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 winter clothes illustrates an expression that you might say to refer to the idea of receiving a series of criticisms or unkind words.