Guess the meaning behind this French baking expression

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Discover this mystery baking-themed French saying

Africa Studio / Shutterstock

Published Tuesday 01 April 2025 - 00:00 Modified Tuesday 08 April 2025 - 11:12

Ryanair's 鈧�100 'missed-departure' fee now in force, including on flights to and from France
Woman in police custody over murder of Briton in Dordogne
British woman鈥檚 murder in Dordogne: 鈥榩ersonal grudge鈥� motive investigated
Medical check-ups every five years proposed for drivers over 70 in France

The French love using idioms in everyday conversations, however these unique sayings can sound completely bizarre when translated literally into English.

It is useful to understand their figurative meaning to avoid confusion when chatting with locals.

This particular example featuring dough, illustrates a popular expression that you might say when helping to complete a difficult or tedious task.

Can you guess the French phrase?

Click to show answer

A) Mettre la main 脿 la p芒te (literally: to put your hands in the dough)

Take a look at our handy language guide to find out exactly what this idiom means, when to say it, and who to say it to.

quiz magazine

Del p氓 e-post

Surprise strike at Toulouse airport: more than 50 flights cancelled

Flights to and from the UK are impacted

French tax inspectors seek 鈧�1.3m over family 鈥榣oan鈥� given almost 30 years ago

Family members argue the money was actually a gift. The courts were not convinced

Travellers to France given 鈥榟ave cash warning鈥� by expert

Recent power cut in Spain and Portugal is warning to holidaymakers to ensure they are prepared for worst-case scenario

The French resort where you can ski until July

The resort is set to remain open to the public and not only to professionals

Will I inherit my stepmother鈥檚 French property?

French succession laws can qffect inheritance of property from a step-parent

How to make a living will in France and who needs to know about it

Make sure your wishes are heard concerning end-of-life decisions

Are there online comparison sites for French energy bills and offers?

A regulated tariff exists for electricity but not for gas

Recipe: vanilla, rum, and orange zest cannel茅s

Japanese pastry chef Mori Yoshida creates refined cakes and desserts, some in the classic French style, others with a unique flourish or twist

Rain for the south and cooler everywhere: French weekly weather outlook May 5 - 9

Storms from the weekend will persist across some areas

TGVs, local trains: What is expected impact of French rail strikes this week?

Fears of a 鈥榖lack week鈥� on the network have been widely dismissed - although regional lines will see cancellations

'I moved to France and became an estate agent for luxury homes'

Former probation officier and mum-of-three Leila Bodross, 44, now sells premium properties on the Bretagne coast

Letters: Visas are so much trouble that we will not visit our second home in France

Connexion readers share frustrating visa challenges to access their French properties

France wants extra fee on small packages coming from outside EU

Concerns grow over sales from e-commerce giants such as Temu and Shein

What to expect from this week鈥檚 train strike in France

The May 8 bank holiday and weekend is a busy time for travel in France

Rules to be toughened for French citizenship, announces minister

A new civic knowledge test is to be required as well as more checks on background and personal finances

British woman鈥檚 murder in Dordogne: 鈥榩ersonal grudge鈥� motive investigated

Police are reported to be concentrating on people likely to wish direct ill of Karen Carter who was fatally stabbed on April 29

10C temperatures drop as storms move in: French weekend weather outlook May 2- 4

Heavy thunderstorms forecast for most of country

Career change in France: from plastics to creative recycling

Bob Hope explains his decision to leave a job in the chemicals industry to breathe new life into everyday objects

Iconic Paris cinema restored to its Art Deco glory

Architects set out to modernise Le Grand Rex while respecting its original design

Explained: how to renew a US passport when living in France

Check your eligibility for postal applications and find out when an in-person appointment is necessary

Explained: The ADMR home help network in France

The longstanding service is vital for many elderly and isolated people

Ryanair's 鈧�100 'missed-departure' fee now in force, including on flights to and from France

The airline wants to prevent last-minute arrivals causing delays

Who can register a death in France - and what needs to be done?

Confusion can arise between death notice and death certificate

Speed cameras in France can also check for insurance irregularities using number plates

New radars are equipped with number plate reading technology

麻豆传媒映画

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

TRENDING

Ryanair's 鈧�100 'missed-departure' fee now in force, including on flights to and from France

Woman in police custody over murder of Briton in Dordogne

British woman鈥檚 murder in Dordogne: 鈥榩ersonal grudge鈥� motive investigated

Medical check-ups every five years proposed for drivers over 70 in France

Can you guess the French phrase?

麻豆传媒映画: the origins and meaning of 锚tre dans la force de l鈥櫭e

麻豆传媒映画: what does recevoir une note sal茅e mean and when should it be used?

麻豆传媒映画: when and why do we say qui se ressemble s鈥檃ssemble?

Surprise strike at Toulouse airport: more than 50 flights cancelled

French tax inspectors seek 鈧�1.3m over family 鈥榣oan鈥� given almost 30 years ago

Travellers to France given 鈥榟ave cash warning鈥� by expert

The French resort where you can ski until July

Will I inherit my stepmother鈥檚 French property?

How to make a living will in France and who needs to know about it

Are there online comparison sites for French energy bills and offers?

Recipe: vanilla, rum, and orange zest cannel茅s

Rain for the south and cooler everywhere: French weekly weather outlook May 5 - 9

TGVs, local trains: What is expected impact of French rail strikes this week?

'I moved to France and became an estate agent for luxury homes'

Letters: Visas are so much trouble that we will not visit our second home in France

France wants extra fee on small packages coming from outside EU

What to expect from this week鈥檚 train strike in France

Rules to be toughened for French citizenship, announces minister

British woman鈥檚 murder in Dordogne: 鈥榩ersonal grudge鈥� motive investigated

10C temperatures drop as storms move in: French weekend weather outlook May 2- 4

Career change in France: from plastics to creative recycling

Iconic Paris cinema restored to its Art Deco glory

Explained: how to renew a US passport when living in France

Explained: The ADMR home help network in France

Ryanair's 鈧�100 'missed-departure' fee now in force, including on flights to and from France

Who can register a death in France - and what needs to be done?

Speed cameras in France can also check for insurance irregularities using number plates

麻豆传媒映画

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

TRENDING

Ryanair's 鈧�100 'missed-departure' fee now in force, including on flights to and from France

Woman in police custody over murder of Briton in Dordogne

British woman鈥檚 murder in Dordogne: 鈥榩ersonal grudge鈥� motive investigated

Medical check-ups every five years proposed for drivers over 70 in France

Can you guess the French phrase?

More from The Connexion

麻豆传媒映画: the origins and meaning of 锚tre dans la force de l鈥櫭e

麻豆传媒映画: what does recevoir une note sal茅e mean and when should it be used?

麻豆传媒映画: when and why do we say qui se ressemble s鈥檃ssemble?

Surprise strike at Toulouse airport: more than 50 flights cancelled

French tax inspectors seek 鈧�1.3m over family 鈥榣oan鈥� given almost 30 years ago

Travellers to France given 鈥榟ave cash warning鈥� by expert

The French resort where you can ski until July

Will I inherit my stepmother鈥檚 French property?

How to make a living will in France and who needs to know about it

Are there online comparison sites for French energy bills and offers?

Recipe: vanilla, rum, and orange zest cannel茅s

Rain for the south and cooler everywhere: French weekly weather outlook May 5 - 9

TGVs, local trains: What is expected impact of French rail strikes this week?

'I moved to France and became an estate agent for luxury homes'

Letters: Visas are so much trouble that we will not visit our second home in France

France wants extra fee on small packages coming from outside EU

What to expect from this week鈥檚 train strike in France

Rules to be toughened for French citizenship, announces minister

British woman鈥檚 murder in Dordogne: 鈥榩ersonal grudge鈥� motive investigated

10C temperatures drop as storms move in: French weekend weather outlook May 2- 4

Career change in France: from plastics to creative recycling

Iconic Paris cinema restored to its Art Deco glory

Explained: how to renew a US passport when living in France

Explained: The ADMR home help network in France

Ryanair's 鈧�100 'missed-departure' fee now in force, including on flights to and from France

Who can register a death in France - and what needs to be done?

Speed cameras in France can also check for insurance irregularities using number plates