Idioms / sayings / slang

[Frank]

Someone just asked me privately how to say "to kick ass" in French.

I'm going to answer, but maybe other people would be interested in saying/translating other idioms as well. So let's create a dedicated thread. Feel free to ask for any expression you'd like to say in French, or translate from French. Informal speech / usual slang is okay, but no vulgar words, please. I won't answer any question regarding anything vulgar.

Now, back to "to kick ass".

There are several way to say it. The best one (ie. the one you can use in almost every case where "to kick ass" would apply) is probably "être trop fort".

The basic meaning of "être trop fort" is "to be too loud" or "to be too strong". But unless you're explicitly talking about music or muscles, it means "to kick ass".
You can say it, maybe even to your boss. But don't write it, except to close friends. It's not vulgar, but it's definitely informal speech.

Here are a couple of examples:

- "Roger Federer est trop fort"

It means that Roger Federer kicks ass. He has mad skills.

- "Cette soirée est trop forte"

This party kicks ass

You can also emphasize it with "vraiment": "Roger Federer est vraiment trop fort", "Cette soirée est vraiment trop forte" (= really kicks ass)

It also works that way:

- "Cet exercice est trop fort pour moi", "Cet exercice était trop fort pour moi"

This exercise kicks my ass, this exercise kicked my ass

For the record, here are two other ways to say "to kick ass". They are very informal. While they aren't vulgar and while they are commonly used, esp. by young people, don't write them ever. Don't say these to your boss or to your teacher either.

- "tuer" (to kill), "être une tuerie" (to be a slaughter), "être un tueur" (to be a killer)
"Roger Federer est un tueur"
"Le dernier album d'Eminem tue" or "Le dernier album d'Eminem est une tuerie"

Neither RF nor Eminem is a murderer. They are just very good.

- "déchirer" (to tear)
"Le nouvel iPhone 3GS déchire" (the new iPhone 3GS kicks ass)

Hope it helps,

-Frank.

[adel]

A GOOD FOUR LETTER WORD YOU COULD WRITE IS 'FLIP OFF" "BLAST OFF', VERY SLANGY ENGLISH SETTLE WAY OF SAYING/ WRITING/ IT, IN LONDON UK ANYWAY.

[adel]

Crack1 replied to Frank's discussion 'Idioms / sayings / slang'To say kick his/her ass borders vulgar. It is tantamount to the four letter word3 hours ago
A GOOD FOUR LETTER WORD YOU COULD WRITE IS 'FLIP OFF" "BLAST OFF', VERY SLANGY ENGLISH SETTLE WAY OF SAYING/ WRITING/ IT, IN LONDON UK ANYWAY.

[Tatiana Popova]

Hi! As far as I understand this is the part for questions on idioms.
Today in a conversation I've heard this phrase: "De bonne heure et de bonne humeur!". I believe it to be a French proverb or an idiom but its sense is completely unclear to me. Could someone, please, explain it?
Thank you.

Tanya

[Frank]

Hi Tat,

Yes, this is an expression. A very common variant is "frais et dispo".

"De bonne heure" means early.
"De bonne humeur" means happy.

It's a way to advocate the fact that you should get up early in order to enjoy your day.

[Tatiana Popova]

Merci Frank.
Maintenant, je pense que ça j'ai bien compris. Je comprenais le sens des deux constituants mais le sens général de la phrase n'était pas clair.
:-)))