C’est le pied !

C'est le pied
Share / Tweet / Pin Me!

Familiar French Expression

Meaning it’s great, terrific
Literally it’s the foot
Register familiar
Pronunciation French sound files [say leu pyay]
IPA   [se lə pjɛ]

Usage notes: In old French slang, le pied referred to one’s share or due. It’s this meaning of pied, rather than "foot," that the familiar French idiom c’est le pied references.

Par exemple…

J’adore cette photo, c’est le pied !   I love this picture, it’s great!
Ce serait le pied si je réussissais cet examen.   It would be terrific if I passed this test.

Synonyms

Related expression: prendre son pied – to get one’s kicks, enjoy doing (particularly in reference to sex)

In the negative, ce n’est pas le pied* means "it’s not much fun, it’s no picnic, not that great."

Par exemple…

Cette classe, ce n’est pas le pied.   This class isn’t much fun.
Se divorcer, ce n’est pas le pied.   Getting divorced is no picnic.

Synonym: ce n’est pas terrible

Related expression: casser les pieds

* Even more familiarly, ne is droppped: c’est pas le piedlearn more.

 Related lessons

 Share / Tweet / Pin Me!

C'est le pied - French idiom

  Lawless French Files:  

Stay up to date with Lawless French

Questions about French?

 Visit the Progress with Lawless French Q+A forum to get help from native French speakers and fellow learners.

More Lawless French

 Subscribe to my twice-weekly newsletter.

Support Lawless French

  This free website is created with love and a great deal of work.

If you love it, please consider making a one-time or monthly donation.

Your support is entirely optional but tremendously appreciated.

Leave a Reply