jeter l' effort
to jeter the effort
Literalmente: to throw the effort
Use this to express frustration when hard work is discarded or a goal is abandoned too soon.
En 15 segundos
- Used when hard work is wasted or abandoned prematurely.
- A visual way to describe giving up on a project.
- More common in casual conversation than formal writing.
Significado
While 'jeter l'effort' isn't a standard French idiom, it translates to 'throwing away the effort.' It describes wasting hard work or giving up on something you've put energy into.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Encouraging a friend at the gym
Ne jette pas tout cet effort pour un seul gâteau !
Don't throw away all that effort for just one cake!
Frustration at the office
Le patron a annulé le projet ; on a jeté l'effort par la fenêtre.
The boss cancelled the project; we threw the effort out the window.
Texting a study partner
Si on arrête maintenant, on jette l'effort de toute la semaine.
If we stop now, we're throwing away the whole week's effort.
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'effort' in France is tied to the educational system, where 'faire des efforts' is often more praised than natural talent. Using verbs like 'jeter' (to throw) emphasizes a sudden, perhaps reckless abandonment of that cultural value. It highlights the frustration of seeing a long process interrupted.
The 'Par la fenêtre' trick
If you want to sound more native, add 'par la fenêtre' (out the window) to the end. It makes the 'throwing' action sound much more final and dramatic.
Don't confuse with 'Lancer'
While 'lancer' also means to throw, it's used for starting things (like 'lancer un projet'). Use 'jeter' specifically for discarding or wasting.
En 15 segundos
- Used when hard work is wasted or abandoned prematurely.
- A visual way to describe giving up on a project.
- More common in casual conversation than formal writing.
What It Means
Imagine you spent three hours baking a soufflé. Then, you accidentally leave it on the counter for the cat. That feeling of wasted energy is the essence here. It means to discard, waste, or abandon the hard work you have already performed. You are essentially saying that the energy spent was for nothing.
How To Use It
You use it when you see someone giving up too early. Use it when a project is cancelled at the last minute. It functions like a standard verb-object phrase. You conjugate jeter based on who is doing the 'throwing.' For example, ne jette pas tout ton effort (don't throw away all your effort). It is punchy and direct.
When To Use It
Use it when you feel a sense of loss over time spent. It works well in a gym setting when a friend wants to eat a giant burger after a workout. Use it at work if a boss scraps a presentation you spent all night on. It is perfect for those 'why did I even bother?' moments. It fits best in conversations about goals and persistence.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this in very formal academic writing. Standard French would prefer gâcher ses efforts (to waste one's efforts). Avoid using it if the effort wasn't actually yours to judge. It might sound a bit harsh or overly dramatic in minor situations. If you just dropped a pen, don't say this. It needs to involve real 'sweat equity.'
Cultural Background
French culture places a high value on 'le travail bien fait' (work well done). Wasting effort is seen as a lack of discipline or respect for the craft. While English speakers might say 'don't throw it all away,' the French focus on the effort itself. It reflects a mindset where the process is as important as the result. Historically, French artisans took pride in long processes, making 'wasted effort' a significant grievance.
Common Variations
You will more commonly hear gâcher ses efforts (to waste efforts). Another popular one is réduire à néant (to reduce to nothing). If you are feeling slangy, you might hear foutre en l'air (to mess up/throw away). Each carries a slightly different weight of frustration. Jeter is the most visual, like literally tossing your hard work into a bin.
Notas de uso
This phrase is neutral to informal. It is very visual and expressive. Be careful with the spelling of `jeter` in the present tense, as it adds a second 't' in most forms.
The 'Par la fenêtre' trick
If you want to sound more native, add 'par la fenêtre' (out the window) to the end. It makes the 'throwing' action sound much more final and dramatic.
Don't confuse with 'Lancer'
While 'lancer' also means to throw, it's used for starting things (like 'lancer un projet'). Use 'jeter' specifically for discarding or wasting.
The French 'Effort' obsession
In France, teachers often write 'Peut mieux faire' (Can do better) or 'Manque d'effort' (Lacks effort) on reports. Wasting effort is a major social 'no-no'!
Ejemplos
6Ne jette pas tout cet effort pour un seul gâteau !
Don't throw away all that effort for just one cake!
Uses the phrase to motivate someone to stay on track.
Le patron a annulé le projet ; on a jeté l'effort par la fenêtre.
The boss cancelled the project; we threw the effort out the window.
Adds 'par la fenêtre' for extra dramatic effect.
Si on arrête maintenant, on jette l'effort de toute la semaine.
If we stop now, we're throwing away the whole week's effort.
Casual way to emphasize the stakes of quitting.
Tu as mal cuit la viande ? Tu jettes l'effort de la préparation !
You overcooked the meat? You're throwing away the prep effort!
Focuses on the loss of the preparation stage.
J'ai l'impression d'avoir jeté mon effort dans le vide.
I feel like I threw my effort into the void.
Poetic and slightly dramatic self-criticism.
On ne peut pas simplement jeter l'effort de cinq ans.
We can't just throw away five years of effort.
Uses 'effort' to represent the work put into a bond.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase about wasting work.
Il ne faut pas ___ l'effort de toute une année.
In this context, 'jeter' (to throw) is used to mean wasting or discarding the work done over a year.
Which object fits best to describe wasting your hard work?
Pourquoi as-tu jeté ton ___ ?
'Effort' completes the collocation meaning to waste the energy you've invested.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Jeter l'effort'
Foutre en l'air ses efforts
T'as tout foutu en l'air !
Jeter l'effort
Ne jette pas ton effort.
Gâcher ses efforts
Il a gâché ses efforts.
Anéantir les efforts
Cela a anéanti nos efforts.
When to say you're 'throwing away effort'
Dieting
Eating pizza after a run
Work
Deleting a long email draft
Education
Quitting a course mid-term
Hobbies
Ruining a painting at the end
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt is more of a literal collocation than a fixed historical idiom. You'll hear gâcher ses efforts more often, but jeter is understood as a forceful way to describe waste.
Yes, but it's slightly informal. In a very serious board meeting, use compromettre nos efforts (to compromise our efforts) instead.
Close, but not exactly. Giving up is abandonner. Jeter l'effort focuses on the *waste* of what you've already done rather than just the act of stopping.
It's a first-group verb, but watch out for the double 't'! For example: je jette, tu jettes, but nous jetons (single 't').
Yes, foutre ses efforts en l'air is the very informal/slang version you'd use with close friends when you're angry.
Absolutely. You can say Tu jettes mon effort ! if someone ruins something you worked hard on.
Yes, it almost always implies a regrettable loss or a mistake in judgment.
The opposite would be récompenser l'effort (to reward the effort) or faire fructifier ses efforts (to make efforts bear fruit).
Not really. Gaspiller de l'énergie (to waste energy) is the standard way to say that.
No, it specifically refers to the abstract concept of 'work' or 'energy' put into a task.
Frases relacionadas
Gâcher ses efforts
Foutre en l'air
Réduire à néant
Perdre son temps
Baisser les bras
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