faire les quatre cents coups
To be in debt
字面意思: to do the four hundred blows
Use this to describe wild adventures or rebellious phases shared with a partner in crime.
15秒了解
- Living a wild, rebellious life with friends.
- Breaking rules and causing harmless trouble.
- A classic idiom for youthful defiance.
意思
This phrase actually means to live a wild life and break the rules. It is about doing all the crazy things you can think of without worrying about consequences.
关键例句
3 / 6Reminiscing with an old school friend
On a fait les quatre cents coups ensemble au lycée !
We went through all sorts of wild times together in high school!
Describing two mischievous grandchildren
Ces deux-là font les quatre cents coups dès que j'ai le dos tourné.
Those two are up to no end of mischief the moment my back is turned.
A formal speech at a retirement party
Même si nous sommes sérieux maintenant, nous avons fait les quatre cents coups à nos débuts.
Even if we are serious now, we had our wild days when we started.
文化背景
The phrase originated from the 1621 Siege of Montauban, where 400 cannons were fired to intimidate the Protestant population. It later became a global cultural touchstone thanks to François Truffaut's New Wave masterpiece film of the same name. Today, it evokes a sense of poetic rebellion rather than military aggression.
The Movie Connection
If you use this phrase, French people will immediately think of the movie by François Truffaut. Watching it is a great way to understand the 'vibe' of the expression!
Don't confuse with 'Cent coups'
Be careful! 'Faire les cent coups' (100 blows) means to pace back and forth because you are anxious. You need the 'quatre' (400) to mean 'having fun'!
15秒了解
- Living a wild, rebellious life with friends.
- Breaking rules and causing harmless trouble.
- A classic idiom for youthful defiance.
What It Means
Think of that one friend who always has the wildest stories. Faire les quatre cents coups is all about living life to the fullest. It means ignoring social norms and causing a bit of trouble. You aren't being a criminal. You are just being a rebel. It captures the spirit of youthful defiance and adventure.
How To Use It
You use this phrase like a regular verb. The subject is usually a group of friends or a pair of siblings. You conjugate faire to match who you are talking about. For example, nous avons fait les quatre cents coups. It sounds active and energetic. It implies a long list of shared pranks or adventures.
When To Use It
Use this when reminiscing about your teenage years. It is perfect for wedding toasts or birthday speeches. Use it when describing a duo that is always up to no good. It works well in casual conversations about travel or college life. It adds a nostalgic and slightly mischievous flavor to your stories.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a serious legal setting. If someone actually committed a crime, this phrase is too lighthearted. Avoid using it in a professional performance review. It implies a lack of discipline that bosses might not appreciate. Also, don't use it for solo activities. It almost always implies a partnership in crime.
Cultural Background
This expression has deep historical roots in French history. It refers to the siege of Montauban in 1621. King Louis XIII fired 400 cannon shots to scare the citizens. Over time, the meaning shifted from military force to general chaos. It was immortalized by François Truffaut’s famous 1959 film, *Les Quatre Cents Coups*.
Common Variations
You might hear people say faire les 400 coups with the number written out. Sometimes people use faire les cent coups, but that means pacing around nervously. Stick to the 400 for the wild adventures. There aren't many modern slang versions because this one is a classic. It remains a staple of the French vocabulary across generations.
使用说明
This is an informal expression best suited for storytelling and casual conversation. It carries a nostalgic, positive connotation of freedom and rebellion.
The Movie Connection
If you use this phrase, French people will immediately think of the movie by François Truffaut. Watching it is a great way to understand the 'vibe' of the expression!
Don't confuse with 'Cent coups'
Be careful! 'Faire les cent coups' (100 blows) means to pace back and forth because you are anxious. You need the 'quatre' (400) to mean 'having fun'!
The 'Blow' isn't violent
Even though 'coup' can mean a hit or a blow, in this context it refers to 'tricks' or 'stunts'. Think of it as 'pulling 400 stunts'.
例句
6On a fait les quatre cents coups ensemble au lycée !
We went through all sorts of wild times together in high school!
Perfect for shared nostalgia about being young and reckless.
Ces deux-là font les quatre cents coups dès que j'ai le dos tourné.
Those two are up to no end of mischief the moment my back is turned.
Used here to describe harmless but constant pranks.
Même si nous sommes sérieux maintenant, nous avons fait les quatre cents coups à nos débuts.
Even if we are serious now, we had our wild days when we started.
Adds a human touch to a professional relationship history.
Prêt pour faire les quatre cents coups ce week-end ?
Ready to raise some hell this weekend?
A playful way to suggest having a lot of fun.
Il a fait les quatre cents coups avant de devenir célèbre.
He lived a wild life before becoming famous.
Describes a period of unrestrained living.
On a fait les quatre cents coups dans cet appart, tu vas me manquer.
We had so many wild adventures in this apartment, I'll miss you.
Connects the phrase to shared memories and bonds.
自我测试
Choose the correct verb conjugation to complete the phrase.
Quand nous étions jeunes, mon frère et moi ___ les quatre cents coups.
Since the sentence starts with 'Quand nous étions jeunes' (When we were young), you need the imperfect tense 'faisions'.
Complete the idiom with the correct number.
Ils ont fait les ___ cents coups pendant leurs vacances à Paris.
The fixed idiom is specifically 'quatre cents coups' (400 blows).
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality Scale of 'Faire les quatre cents coups'
Too poetic for street slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends and family stories.
On a fait les 400 coups !
Used in literature or movies, but rare in business.
Ils firent les quatre cents coups.
When to use 'Faire les quatre cents coups'
Childhood Memories
Climbing trees and stealing apples.
College Life
Partying until dawn every night.
Sibling Rivalry
Teaming up to prank parents.
Travel Stories
Getting lost in a foreign city on purpose.
常见问题
10 个问题No, that is a common misconception. It actually means to live a wild, rebellious life. To say you are in debt, you would use être endetté.
You can, but it is much more common for a group. It usually implies a shared experience of mischief, like ils ont fait les quatre cents coups.
Not at all! It is quite affectionate. It suggests a 'lovable rogue' character rather than a bad person.
Just conjugate the verb faire. For example, in the past: J'ai fait, Tu as fait, Il a fait.
Yes, it is a very common classic. Even young people use it when talking about their 'crazy' nights out.
The closest equivalents are 'to sow one's wild oats' or 'to raise hell,' though it is often less aggressive than the latter.
Only if you are joking with close colleagues about your past. It is too informal for a meeting with a client.
Yes, the number is fixed. Changing the number changes the meaning or makes it sound incorrect.
Yes, the film title comes from the expression, not the other way around. The film helped keep the phrase popular.
It usually implies 'fun' trouble. If someone is doing something truly harmful, you wouldn't use this lighthearted phrase.
相关表达
Faire les cent coups
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