Mettre Expressions

French expressions with mettre
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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!

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French expressions with mettre

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