Learning French

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Discover this mystery water-themed French saying

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Published Wednesday 01 April 2026 - 07:00 Modified Tuesday 14 April 2026 - 16:49

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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 vase illustrates an expression that you might say when something tips you over the edge.

Can you guess the French phrase?

Click to show answer

A) C’est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase (literally: it is the drop of water that makes the vase overflow)

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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