Learning French

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Discover this mystery flea-themed French saying

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Published Monday 12 January 2026 - 07:00 Modified Wednesday 25 February 2026 - 16:54

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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 flea illustrates an expression that you might say when planting an idea in someone's head.

Can you guess the French phrase?

Click to show answer

A) Mettre la puce à l'oreille (literally: to put the flea in the ear)

Take a look at our handy language guide to find out exactly what this idiom means and how to use it when speaking French.

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Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

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Can you guess the French phrase?

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