Mettre les pieds dans le plat: Fun French expression no. 5

A similar expression exists in English, can you work out what it is?

A baby with its feet covered in cream in the air with a cake in front of them

Getting your feet somewhere they should not be is rarely a good thing

STEKLO / Shutterstock

William Upton

Published Thursday 12 September 2024 - 14:00 Modified Thursday 12 September 2024 - 14:47

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Do not get in between a French person and their food. The fifth entry in the series of amusing French expressions involves someone getting their feet where they are not supposed to.

Mettre les pieds dans le plat

Literal translation: To put your feet in the dish

This refers to when someone says something without thinking that it might be rude or make other people uncomfortable. Plat in this case means meal or dish.

The expression can also mean something intentionally rude or uncomfortable and lacking tact.

The closest English equivalent would be ‘to put your foot in your mouth’, with a similar imagery of putting your feet where they should not be.

Do you have a favourite amusing French expression? Share it with us at feedback@connexionfrance.com