Office Gossip in France
Swap the latest gossip at the coffee machine, react to rumours and promise to keep a secret with real French idioms.
In many French offices the coffee machine and the canteen are where news travels, and colleagues often use tu with each other, especially in younger companies. Gossip is called « les ragots » or « les potins », and French has a rich stock of idioms for it, from « un secret de Polichinelle » to « casser du sucre sur le dos de quelqu'un ». Keep it light: openly trashing a colleague is frowned on.
- 1
Tu connais la dernière ?
Have you heard the latest?
- 2
Ils passent leur temps à casser du sucre sur son dos.
They spend their time bad-mouthing her behind her back.
- 3
Il paraît qu'ils sortent ensemble.
Apparently they're going out together.
- 4
Je le tiens de source sûre.
I have it from a reliable source.
- 5
C'est un secret de Polichinelle.
It's an open secret.
- 6
Ça reste entre nous.
This stays between us.
- 7
Motus et bouche cousue.
My lips are sealed.
- 8
Quand on parle du loup...
Speak of the devil...
- 9
Ça lui a échappé.
He let it slip.
- 10
Ça s'est répandu comme une traînée de poudre.
It spread like wildfire.
- 11
Ils se sont pris la tête.
They had a big row.
- 12
J'en suis resté bouche bée.
I was speechless.
- 13
Elle mâche pas ses mots.
She doesn't mince her words.
- 14
N'importe quoi, c'est du pipeau.
Rubbish, that's made up.
- 15
Il raconte partout qu'il va se faire virer.
He's going around telling everyone he's going to get fired.
- 16
Occupe-toi de tes oignons !
Mind your own business!
- 17
C'est pas moi qui te l'ai dit.
You didn't hear it from me.
- 18
Il n'y a pas de fumée sans feu.
There's no smoke without fire.
- 19
Faut pas croire tout ce qu'on dit.
Don't believe everything people say.
- 20
Sans blague ! Tu rigoles !
No way! You're kidding!