Mettre Expressions

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French Phrases to Put

The French verb mettre, “to put,” is found in many idiomatic expressions, including to update, emphasize, and set straight. Learn these and dozens of other French expressions featuring mettre.

Mettre translations

• to put
• to put on / out / up
• to set
• to turn on

Mettre expressions

mettre (une heure / deux mois) à faire			to take (an hour / two months) to do something
mettre à cran			to make angry
mettre à flot			to launch
mettre à jour			to update
mettre à l’essai			to put to the test
mettre beaucoup de soin à faire			to take great care in doing something
mettre de l’ardeur à faire quelque chose			to do something eagerly
mettre de l’argent dans			to put money into
mettre de l’argent pour			to pay for
mettre de l’argent sur			to spend money on
mettre de l’eau dans son vin			to tone it down
mettre en colère			to make angry
mettre en doute			to cast doubt on, question
mettre en lumière			to bring to light, reveal
mettre en œuvre			to implement
mettre en relief			to bring out, enhance, accentuate, emphasize
mettre hors de doute			to prove beyond any doubt
mettre la radio			to turn on the radio
mettre la table			to set the table
mettre le doigt			(various meanings – click to read lesson)
mettre le réveil			to set the alarm
mettre le verrou			to bolt the door
mettre les informations			to turn on the news
mettre les pieds dans le plat			~to mess up, put one’s foot in one’s mouth
mettre quelque chose à plat			to lay something down flat
mettre quelque chose debout			to stand something up
mettre quelque chose au placard			to shelve something
mettre (quelque chose) de côté			to put (something) aside
mettre quelque chose droit			to set something straight
mettre quelqu’un au pas			to bring someone in line
mettre quelqu’un au placard	(familiar)		to put someone away (in jail), to fire someone, to push someone aside
mettre quelqu’un (parmi les grands)			to rank or rate someone (among the greats)
mettre qqun dans la nécessité / l’obligation de faire			to compel someone to do something
mettre sur pied			to arrange, organize, set up
mettre sur la table			to serve
Il y a mis le temps !			He took his sweet time doing it!
J’y mets la dernière main.			I’m putting the finishing touches on.
Mettons que …	(presentative)		Let’s say / Supposing that …
On m’a mis au pied du mur.			I was cornered.

More expressions with mettre

Informal
mettre à côté de la plaque			to be way off the mark
mettre les bouts			to beat it, clear off
mettre les voiles			to beat it, clear off
mettre quelqu’un au parfum			to give someone the lowdown
mettre sa langue dans sa poche			to be quiet, stay silent
mettre son grain de sel			to stick one’s nose in, to butt in
Qu’est-ce qu’ils nous ont mis !	(sports)		They slaughtered us!
se mettre sur son 31			to get dressed up
Familiar
les mettre			to beat it, clear off
Slang
Va te faire mettre !			Get lost! F*** off!

 Related lessons

• Mettre conjugations
• Using mettre
• Presentatives

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