ne pas savoir sur quel pied danser
To have work to do
Literalmente: To not know on which foot to dance
Use this when someone’s inconsistency leaves you paralyzed and unsure of how to proceed or react.
En 15 segundos
- Feeling indecisive because someone else is being unpredictable or moody.
- Used when you don't know how to react to a situation.
- Literally means not knowing which foot to start dancing on.
Significado
This phrase describes that awkward feeling when you have no idea what to do next because someone is being unpredictable. It's like being on a dance floor where the music keeps changing and you can't find the rhythm.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Complaining about a moody boss
Mon patron change d'avis tous les jours, je ne sais plus sur quel pied danser.
My boss changes his mind every day, I don't know where I stand anymore.
Talking about a confusing romantic interest
Un coup elle est adorable, un coup elle est froide ; je ne sais pas sur quel pied danser.
One minute she's lovely, the next she's cold; I don't know how to handle her.
Reacting to changing government rules
Avec ces nouvelles régulations, les commerçants ne savent plus sur quel pied danser.
With these new regulations, shopkeepers don't know which way to turn.
Contexto cultural
Originating in the late Middle Ages, this phrase reflects the importance of dance as a social ritual in French history. It suggests that social life is a choreographed performance where knowing the 'lead' is essential for survival. Today, it remains one of the most common idioms used by French people to describe psychological uncertainty.
The 'Who' Factor
Remember that this phrase is almost always about your reaction to someone else's instability, not just your own general indecisiveness.
Don't be literal
If you use this at a literal dance class, people will think you are actually asking for the choreography steps! Use it metaphorically.
En 15 segundos
- Feeling indecisive because someone else is being unpredictable or moody.
- Used when you don't know how to react to a situation.
- Literally means not knowing which foot to start dancing on.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a party. The DJ is switching genres every ten seconds. You start to salsa, then it's heavy metal, then a waltz. You are stuck frozen. That is exactly what ne pas savoir sur quel pied danser feels like. It describes total indecision or hesitation. Usually, it happens because someone else is being moody or inconsistent. You are waiting for them to settle down so you can react.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when you are confused by a situation. It follows the standard negation rules in French. You can say Je ne sais plus sur quel pied danser. It works perfectly when describing a boss who changes their mind. It also works for a friend who is hot and cold. You are the one feeling the hesitation. The other person is the cause of the dance floor chaos.
When To Use It
Use it when a situation is genuinely unpredictable. It is great for office politics. Use it when your partner says they are 'fine' but looks angry. It fits perfectly in a text to a friend about a confusing date. If you feel like you are walking on eggshells, this is your phrase. It captures that 'what now?' energy perfectly.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for simple choices. If you can't decide between pizza or pasta, this is too dramatic. It is not for choosing clothes in the morning. Avoid using it in very rigid, formal legal documents. It is a colorful idiom, not a technical term. Also, don't use it if you are literally just bad at dancing. That would be a very confusing misunderstanding!
Cultural Background
This expression dates back to the 15th century. Back then, dancing was a huge part of social etiquette. If you didn't know the steps, you were socially doomed. It originally implied a lack of grace or social standing. Over centuries, it evolved into a metaphor for mental hesitation. It reflects the French love for social precision and reading the room correctly.
Common Variations
You might hear people say Je ne sais pas sur quel pied me vouer. This is actually a mix-up with another phrase about saints. Stick to the dancing version to stay safe. You can also use it in the third person. On ne sait plus sur quel pied danser avec lui is a common complaint. It highlights that the problem lies with 'him' and his erratic behavior.
Notas de uso
This idiom is very versatile and fits almost any situation where someone's behavior is erratic. It is safe for both casual conversations and professional environments.
The 'Who' Factor
Remember that this phrase is almost always about your reaction to someone else's instability, not just your own general indecisiveness.
Don't be literal
If you use this at a literal dance class, people will think you are actually asking for the choreography steps! Use it metaphorically.
The 'Plus' Power
French speakers often say 'ne plus savoir' (to no longer know) instead of 'ne pas savoir' to show they've reached their limit of confusion.
Ejemplos
6Mon patron change d'avis tous les jours, je ne sais plus sur quel pied danser.
My boss changes his mind every day, I don't know where I stand anymore.
The speaker is frustrated by the lack of consistency at work.
Un coup elle est adorable, un coup elle est froide ; je ne sais pas sur quel pied danser.
One minute she's lovely, the next she's cold; I don't know how to handle her.
Captures the 'hot and cold' dynamic in a relationship.
Avec ces nouvelles régulations, les commerçants ne savent plus sur quel pied danser.
With these new regulations, shopkeepers don't know which way to turn.
Used here to describe collective uncertainty in a formal context.
Il m'invite puis il annule... Je ne sais vraiment pas sur quel pied danser avec ce mec !
He invites me then cancels... I really don't know what to make of this guy!
Very common in casual venting between friends.
Il y a trop de choix dans ce restaurant, je ne sais plus sur quel pied danser devant la carte !
There are too many choices in this restaurant, I'm totally lost looking at the menu!
A slightly hyperbolic, lighthearted use of the phrase.
Depuis son retour, on ne sait plus sur quel pied danser avec lui.
Since he got back, we don't know how to act around him.
Focuses on the group's collective confusion regarding one person.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence to express confusion about a friend's behavior.
Elle change d'humeur sans arrêt, je ne sais pas sur quel ___ danser.
The idiom specifically uses 'pied' (foot) to refer to the starting step of a dance.
Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.
On ne ___ plus sur quel pied danser avec cette météo !
The phrase uses 'savoir' (to know a fact/how to) rather than 'connaître' (to be familiar with).
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Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Ne pas savoir sur quel pied danser'
Used with friends to vent about a confusing date.
Je sais pas sur quel pied danser avec lui.
Standard usage in daily life or at the office.
L'équipe ne sait plus sur quel pied danser.
Used in journalism to describe political uncertainty.
Les marchés ne savent plus sur quel pied danser.
When to use the Phrase
Moody Boss
Changes instructions hourly
Cryptic Texts
When 'fine' doesn't mean fine
Market Shifts
Unpredictable price changes
Social Events
Vague plans that keep changing
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it is entirely metaphorical. It means you are hesitant or confused, like someone who doesn't know the first step of a dance.
Yes, it is neutral enough for work. You might say L'équipe ne sait plus sur quel pied danser face à ces changements.
It is always sur quel pied. Think of it as deciding which foot to put your weight on.
Not at all! While it has old roots, it is used daily by French people of all ages.
Common equivalents include 'to not know where one stands' or 'to not know which way to turn'.
It's a bit dramatic for food, but you can use it jokingly if the menu is incredibly confusing.
Not necessarily, but it often implies frustration or being 'fed up' with someone's inconsistency.
Yes, just change the subject: Ils ne savent plus sur quel pied danser.
Not a direct one, but you might say Je suis paumé (I'm lost) for a more informal vibe.
In traditional dances, starting on the wrong foot would ruin the whole sequence, hence the high stakes of the metaphor.
Frases relacionadas
Être dans le flou
To be in the dark / to be unclear
Perdre le nord
To lose one's bearings / to be confused
Nager en plein brouillard
To be totally lost (literally: swimming in fog)
Hésiter entre deux chaises
To be torn between two options
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