reprendre du poil de la bête
To improve the situation
Wörtlich: To take back some of the hair of the beast
Use this to describe someone regaining their energy, health, or competitive edge after a struggle.
In 15 Sekunden
- Regaining strength or morale after a setback.
- Bouncing back from illness or a bad mood.
- The French version of 'hair of the dog' but broader.
Bedeutung
Imagine you've been feeling down, sick, or just having a rough week. This phrase describes that moment you suddenly get your energy back and start bouncing back into action.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Checking on a sick friend
Ça fait plaisir de voir que tu reprends du poil de la bête !
It's good to see you're getting your strength back!
Discussing a business recovery
Après un début d'année difficile, l'entreprise reprend du poil de la bête.
After a difficult start to the year, the company is bouncing back.
Texting after a bad breakup
Enfin en terrasse ! Je reprends du poil de la bête.
Finally out on a terrace! I'm getting my groove back.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The expression is rooted in ancient medicinal beliefs similar to 'similia similibus curantur' (like cures like). While the English equivalent 'hair of the dog' is almost exclusively used for drinking, the French expanded this to any form of recovery. It reflects a very French pragmatic optimism.
Don't overthink the 'Beast'
In modern French, 'la bête' doesn't refer to a specific animal. It's just a metaphor for the thing that brought you down.
Check your conjugation
Remember that `reprendre` follows the pattern of `prendre`. The 'd' disappears in the plural: `nous reprenons`, `ils reprennent`.
In 15 Sekunden
- Regaining strength or morale after a setback.
- Bouncing back from illness or a bad mood.
- The French version of 'hair of the dog' but broader.
What It Means
Think of this as the ultimate 'comeback' phrase. It describes a recovery of strength, health, or morale after a difficult period. If you were sick in bed and finally feel like eating, you are doing this. If your favorite sports team was losing but suddenly scores twice, they are doing this too. It is all about regaining your momentum.
How To Use It
You use it just like a regular verb phrase. The subject is the person (or group) who is recovering. You conjugate the verb reprendre to match your subject. For example, Je reprends (I am recovering) or Ils reprennent (They are recovering). It sounds very natural and shows you really know your French idioms.
When To Use It
Use it when someone is getting over a cold. It is also perfect for business contexts when a company's stock starts rising again. If you are texting a friend who had a breakup and they finally went out for coffee, tell them they are finally reprenant du poil de la bête. It is positive and encouraging.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for purely physical growth, like growing hair back! It is strictly about energy and spirit. Also, do not use it for massive, life-altering miracles. It is better suited for the 'bounce back' from common setbacks. It is a bit too colorful for a very stiff, academic paper, but fine for a workplace email.
Cultural Background
This phrase dates back to the 16th century. It comes from an old folk belief that if a dog bit you, you should put some of its hair on the wound to heal it. It is the French version of 'the hair of the dog that bit you.' While the English version is usually about hangovers, the French version evolved to mean general recovery.
Common Variations
You will mostly hear it exactly as it is. Sometimes people just say Il reprend du poil for short in very casual settings. However, sticking to the full version is your safest bet. It is one of those timeless expressions that hasn't changed much because the imagery is so strong.
Nutzungshinweise
This idiom is very versatile. It sits perfectly between casual and professional, making it a safe choice for B2 learners to sound more native without risking being too informal.
Don't overthink the 'Beast'
In modern French, 'la bête' doesn't refer to a specific animal. It's just a metaphor for the thing that brought you down.
Check your conjugation
Remember that `reprendre` follows the pattern of `prendre`. The 'd' disappears in the plural: `nous reprenons`, `ils reprennent`.
The Hangover Connection
While English speakers use 'hair of the dog' to mean drinking more alcohol, French people use this phrase for the *feeling* of getting better, often thanks to rest or food!
Beispiele
6Ça fait plaisir de voir que tu reprends du poil de la bête !
It's good to see you're getting your strength back!
A very common way to encourage someone recovering from the flu.
Après un début d'année difficile, l'entreprise reprend du poil de la bête.
After a difficult start to the year, the company is bouncing back.
Shows the phrase works well in professional but relaxed contexts.
Enfin en terrasse ! Je reprends du poil de la bête.
Finally out on a terrace! I'm getting my groove back.
Uses the phrase to show emotional recovery.
Allez ! Ils reprennent du poil de la bête en deuxième mi-temps.
Come on! They're finding their form again in the second half.
Perfect for when a team starts playing better.
Depuis qu'elle a son nouveau chien, ma grand-mère reprend du poil de la bête.
Since she got her new dog, my grandmother has been finding her spark again.
Emotional context showing a return to happiness.
Un petit café et je vais reprendre du poil de la bête.
A little coffee and I'll be back on my feet.
A playful nod to the phrase's medicinal origins.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence to say 'He is recovering his strength'.
Après sa grippe, il ___ du poil de la bête.
The verb 'reprendre' (to take back/again) is essential to the idiom.
Which noun completes the idiom?
Elle a enfin repris du poil de la ___.
The 'bête' (beast) refers to the source of the trouble you are overcoming.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Scale
Texting friends about a hangover.
Je reprends du poil !
Talking to a colleague about work.
Le projet reprend du poil de la bête.
A CEO's annual speech.
Notre économie reprend du poil de la bête.
When to use 'Reprendre du poil de la bête'
Health
After a long flu
Business
Stock market rebound
Sports
Team scoring late
Mood
After a sad week
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot at all! You can use it for a failing business, a sports team, or even your own mood after a bad day.
No, it's quite friendly and supportive. It's a 'neutral' register phrase that fits almost anywhere.
Yes, if you have a good relationship with the person. For example: Le marché reprend du poil de la bête.
It's similar to 'getting one's second wind' or 'bouncing back.'
No, it must be reprendre because the idea is that you are *regaining* strength you previously had.
Historically yes, but today it is abstract. You don't need to be thinking of an animal at all.
It's not 'slang' per se, but it's very common in everyday spoken French.
Usually, we use it for living things or organizations. For a car, you'd just say it's repaired.
It sounds like 'pwal'—rhymes with the English word 'pal' but with a 'w' sound.
Not really. You would just say someone ne reprend pas du poil de la bête.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Remonter la pente
Reprendre du service
Se refaire une santé
Avoir la pêche
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