C’est dans la poche

C'est dans la poche
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Informal French Expression

Meaning it’s in the bag, a sure thing, as good as done
Literally it’s in the pocket
Register informal
Pronunciation French sound files [say da(n) lah puhsh]
IPA   [se dã la pɔʃ]

Usage notes: The English expression "it’s in the bag," meaning that some project or activity is as good as done, comes from shopping: a successful outing ends with a bag of new stuff. While that makes sense, I think the French equivalent, c’est dans la poche, is even better: pockets are part of your clothing, so they are easier to conceal and more difficult to steal from, which makes it less likely that whatever is dans la poche can be undone or taken away.

Par exemple…

Ne t’inquiète pas, c’est dans la poche !   Don’t worry, it’s in the bag!
– Comment s’est passé l’entretien ?
– C’est dans la poche !
  – How did the interview go?
– It’s in the bag! (It went well and I’m sure I got the job)

Related expressions

+ avoir quelque chose en poche / dans sa poche

  • literally: to have something in one’s pocket; e.g., j’ai 10 euros en poche – I have 10 euros on me
  • figuratively: to be assured of success, to have something all sewed up

+ mettre sa langue dans sa poche – to remain silent

+ c’est – it is, this is

 Related lessons

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Dans la poche

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3 Responses

  1. Alyssa 10 October 2014 / 21:41

    Je crois que c’est un sugar glider. Ils sont de petits marsupiels qui viennent d’Australie. Je ne sais pas la bonne traduction pour ça… 🙂

  2. Steve 10 October 2014 / 15:44

    Cette question n’a rien à voir avec la langue française mais qu’est-ce que c’est , le petit animal mignon qui est dans la poche?

    • adam 10 October 2014 / 22:48

      Allo,
      Je sais le petit bête dans le poche.C’est une maki (lemur en anglais) Ils ont habitez au Madagascar et c’est un animal nocturne.Il et semble comme un siege mais il y plusieurs classe compris.

      Oui,d’accord tout le monde trouve le maki mignon de plus.Alors!

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