9 French expressions with the word gueule

The word gueule has origins in Middle French and was originally used to describe an animal's mouth or throat. 

Over time, it came to be used in colloquial French to describe a person's mouth, especially in informal or crude contexts. It has also come to mean face, with mouth being used as a synecdoche for the whole face. 

Nowadays it is a key word in French slang expressions. 

As you will see with the following phrases, gueule is often used in emotionally charged exchanges as it carries more impact than bouche or visage. 

It is a very informal word that you are more likely to hear in TV series or amongst friends rather than in more professional or academic settings. 

En pleine gueule - right in the face/smack in the face 

En pleine gueule can be used in both the literal and figurative sense and is colloquial.

For example, we could say il a pris un coup en pleine gueule pendant la bagarre (he took a punch right in the face during the fight). 

If we are using it figuratively, we could say quand il a appris la vérité, ça lui a fait l'effet d'un coup en pleine gueule (when he learnt the truth, it was like a smack in the face.)

Meanwhile, if you hear renvoyer quelque chose en pleine gueule it means to throw something back in someone’s face.

Faire la gueule - to sulk/be in a huff 

If someone says that tu fais la gueule, it means that you look sulky or huffy. If you are in a mood with someone in particular, we use faire la gueule à quelqu’un. 

Arracher la gueule - to be too spicy/to blow your mouth off 

Arracher can mean to pull off or tear off, so literally this translates as to tear your mouth off. It is effective imagery that can be used to describe tastes that are overwhelmingly strong or spicy. 

For example, it can suggest something is very hot and spicy.

It could also describe something with a very strong taste such as vodka - ça arrache la gueule cette vodka ! (that vodka burns!)

As well as being used in literal sense, it can be employed in a figurative way as well, such as hyperbole to describe an experience that particularly stands out. 

Read more: Tips for getting a (French) word in edgeways

Ferme ta gueule - shut up 

One we have probably all heard at some point, and which is certainly not polite! Ferme ta gueule is a more extreme version of our shut up in English. 

Literally it translates to shut your mouth or shut your face, and is only really appropriate with people you know really well as some people could take offence. 

It is often shortened to ta gueule. 

Gueule de bois - hangover 

After a few too many verres de vin you may well have a gueule de bois - a hangover.

This is another great example of French imagery, as gueule de bois translates to wooden mouth or face, which is a fairly recognisable feeling after too much alcohol! 

Coup de gueule - roar/shout/rant

Depending on the context, a coup de gueule can mean a few different things but is typically a strong expression of discontent or indignation. 

It's used when someone voices their anger or frustration loudly and forcefully, typically about a situation they find unjust or irritating.

For example, elle a poussé un coup de gueule contre les prix élevés (she let her feelings known about the high prices).

Que de la gueule - it’s all talk 

Que de la gueule is the English equivalent of all talk and no action, suggesting there is no substance behind the words being said. 

Read more: What is the difference between bilingual and fluent 

Avoir de la gueule - to be very impressive 

Avoir de la gueule means to look impressive or to have style and charisma. 

It can be used to describe objects, people or events that are particularly standout, for example l’acteur dans ce nouveau film a vraiment de la gueule (the actor in this new film really has a lot of charisma) or leur mariage avait de la gueule (their wedding was stunning). 

Se fendre la gueule - to split your sides laughing 

If you are sharing un fou rire with a friend, you could also say you se fendre la gueule (to split your sides laughing). 

Se fendre means to split so this literally translates to splitting your mouth.