mettre la charrue avant les bœufs
To be up to date
Literalmente: To put the plow before the oxen
Use this to tell someone to stop rushing and follow the logical order of steps.
Em 15 segundos
- Doing things in the wrong order.
- The French version of 'cart before the horse'.
- A reminder to stay logical and patient.
Significado
This phrase actually means to do things in the wrong order or to rush into something without proper preparation. It is the French equivalent of 'putting the cart before the horse.'
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Talking about a new business idea
On ne va pas choisir le logo avant d'avoir un produit, il ne faut pas mettre la charrue avant les bœufs.
We aren't going to choose the logo before having a product; we mustn't put the cart before the horse.
A friend planning a vacation they can't afford
Tu réserves l'hôtel mais tu n'as pas de billet d'avion ? Tu mets la charrue avant les bœufs !
You're booking the hotel but you don't have a plane ticket? You're getting ahead of yourself!
Texting about a first date
Il parle déjà de mariage après un café... il met un peu la charrue avant les bœufs, non ?
He's already talking about marriage after one coffee... he's rushing things a bit, right?
Contexto cultural
Originating in the 1500s, this phrase highlights France's historical identity as an agrarian society. It was famously used by the writer Rabelais and remains a staple of French 'bon sens' (common sense), reflecting a cultural value placed on methodical planning over impulsive action.
The 'Up to Date' Trap
Never use this to mean 'modern' or 'up to date.' If you want to say that, use `être à la page` or `être au goût du jour` instead.
The 'Il faut' trick
If you are unsure how to conjugate it, just use `Il ne faut pas mettre la charrue avant les bœufs`. It works in almost every situation!
Em 15 segundos
- Doing things in the wrong order.
- The French version of 'cart before the horse'.
- A reminder to stay logical and patient.
What It Means
Imagine a farmer in the French countryside. He has a heavy wooden plow and two strong oxen. To get any work done, the oxen must pull the plow from the front. If you put the plow in front of the oxen, nobody is going anywhere! This idiom is all about logic and sequence. It describes someone who is too impatient. They are trying to finish the job before they have even started the foundation. It is about skipping essential steps because you are excited or disorganized.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when you see someone rushing. It usually follows the verb vouloir (to want) or falloir (to be necessary). For example, if your friend is buying a wedding dress before they even have a partner, you would say they are doing this. It functions as a gentle (or sharp) correction. You can use it to describe your own mistakes too. It is a very common way to tell someone to slow down and think.
When To Use It
Use it when a project is moving too fast. It is perfect for professional meetings when a colleague wants to discuss profits before the product is even built. Use it with friends who are making big life plans without checking their bank accounts. It works well in texting when someone asks for the conclusion of a story before you have told the beginning. It is a great way to sound like a native speaker who values logic.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this to mean someone is 'up to date' or 'modern.' That is a common misunderstanding! Also, avoid using it in extremely tragic situations. If someone is grieving, telling them not to 'put the plow before the oxen' might sound dismissive. It is best suited for tasks, projects, and life milestones. Don't use it for simple physical movements, like walking backward. It is about the order of operations, not physical direction.
Cultural Background
This expression dates back to the 16th century. It reflects France's deep agricultural roots. For centuries, the image of oxen pulling a plow was the ultimate symbol of steady, productive work. Even though most French people live in cities now, this rural imagery remains part of the national DNA. It shows a cultural preference for 'le bon sens' (common sense) and methodical progress. It is a classic 'grandma' phrase that everyone still uses today.
Common Variations
You will mostly hear it exactly as mettre la charrue avant les bœufs. However, people sometimes shorten it in conversation. They might just say, 'Tu vas trop vite' (You’re going too fast). You might also hear brûler les étapes (to skip steps). But the version with the oxen is the most colorful and common. It is a fixed expression, so don't try to swap the oxen for a tractor!
Notas de uso
This idiom is neutral and safe for most contexts. Be careful with the plural pronunciation of `bœufs` (silent 'f') to sound more natural.
The 'Up to Date' Trap
Never use this to mean 'modern' or 'up to date.' If you want to say that, use `être à la page` or `être au goût du jour` instead.
The 'Il faut' trick
If you are unsure how to conjugate it, just use `Il ne faut pas mettre la charrue avant les bœufs`. It works in almost every situation!
Pronunciation Secret
In the word `bœufs` (plural), the 'f' and 's' are silent. It sounds like 'beuh'. If it were just one ox (`un bœuf`), you would pronounce the 'f'!
Exemplos
6On ne va pas choisir le logo avant d'avoir un produit, il ne faut pas mettre la charrue avant les bœufs.
We aren't going to choose the logo before having a product; we mustn't put the cart before the horse.
Used here to keep a professional project on track.
Tu réserves l'hôtel mais tu n'as pas de billet d'avion ? Tu mets la charrue avant les bœufs !
You're booking the hotel but you don't have a plane ticket? You're getting ahead of yourself!
A friendly way to point out a lack of logic.
Il parle déjà de mariage après un café... il met un peu la charrue avant les bœufs, non ?
He's already talking about marriage after one coffee... he's rushing things a bit, right?
Used to describe someone being too intense too early.
L'important est de stabiliser la base ; ne mettons pas la charrue avant les bœufs.
The important thing is to stabilize the base; let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Softens the criticism by using 'let's' (nous).
J'ai acheté les meubles avant d'avoir l'appartement. J'ai encore mis la charrue avant les bœufs !
I bought the furniture before having the apartment. I put the cart before the horse again!
Self-deprecating humor about one's own impulsivity.
Prends ton temps pour tes études, ne mets pas la charrue avant les bœufs.
Take your time with your studies, don't rush into things.
Expressing concern for someone's future path.
Teste-se
Complete the phrase to tell your friend not to rush.
Attends un peu, ne mets pas la ___ avant les bœufs !
The word `charrue` means plow, which is the essential tool in this traditional idiom.
Which verb is most commonly used with this expression?
Tu ___ la charrue avant les bœufs avec ce projet.
The verb `mettre` (to put) is the standard verb for this idiom.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of 'Mettre la charrue avant les bœufs'
Used with friends to tease them about rushing.
T'as mis la charrue avant les bœufs, mec !
The standard way to use it in most conversations.
Il ne faut pas mettre la charrue avant les bœufs.
Used in business to suggest a more logical approach.
Veillons à ne pas mettre la charrue avant les bœufs.
When to say it
Dating
Planning the wedding on the first date.
Cooking
Serving the cake before it's baked.
Business
Spending the budget before the loan is approved.
DIY
Painting the wall before sanding it.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it actually means you are trying to be too early or skipping steps. It is about the order of actions, not the time on the clock.
Yes, it is very common in professional settings to remind people to follow a logical process, like Ne mettons pas la charrue avant les bœufs.
Not inherently, but it is a correction. Use it with friends or colleagues you have a good relationship with.
A charrue is a plow, the heavy tool used to turn over soil in a field.
The 'f' and 's' are silent in the plural. It sounds like a short, closed 'uh' sound, similar to the 'u' in 'burn' but shorter.
There isn't a direct slang equivalent, but young people might say Tu t'enflammes (You're getting too excited/ahead of yourself).
No, the expression is fixed. Using 'horses' or 'tractors' would sound very strange to a French ear.
It is an old phrase, but it is still used daily by people of all ages. It's a classic.
The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing it with 'being up to date' because of similar-sounding words in other contexts.
Absolutely! You can say J'ai mis la charrue avant les bœufs to admit you rushed into something too quickly.
Frases relacionadas
Brûler les étapes (To skip steps)
Vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué (To count your chickens before they hatch)
Précipiter les choses (To rush things)
Aller plus vite que la musique (To go faster than the music/to get ahead of oneself)
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