Learning French: the origins and meaning of boire la tasse
A phrase for admitting defeat
Say this when struggling to keep your head above water, sinking under a pile of unfinished work
Aquarius Studio/Shutterstock
Je vais boire la tasse…
It can already be hard enough to declare a defeat or downfall, never mind saying it in a different language.
We look at handy tips, synonyms and example sentences to help you talk about your failures in perfect French.
What does boire la tasse mean?
This expression literally translates as, ‘to drink the cupful,’ however it most often used figuratively to refer to the idea of failing or being defeated by something.
Synonyms include:
Echouer - To fail (neutral)
Rater - To mess up (casual)
Tout faire foirer - To screw everything up (informal slang)
Faire boire la tasse à quelqu’un can also be said to describe the act of pushing someone underwater.
What are the origins of boire la tasse?
The phrase first appeared in the Dictionary of the Académie française in 1798, with a definition explaining: “one says ‘to drink from the big cup’ to mean drowning in the sea.”
Read more: Six French phrases that describe defeat or losing
In fact, when the word tasse (cup) arrived in France from Persia in the 14th Century, it was originally tasse grande. This 'big' reference was a description of the vase-sized drinking vessels that were much larger than the mugs for hot drinks we use today.
Drinking such a large cupful of water was seen as a sure way to drown or sink.
Today, the expression boire la tasse can simply describe accidentally swallowing a lot of water while swimming.
This image can also be applied in a metaphorical sense, meaning to sink or ‘go under,’ referring to the idea of failing or losing a lot of money.
Read also: Six idioms to spice up your French conversations
When do you say boire la tasse?
Say this when you are struggling to keep your head above water (both literally and figuratively):
Je n'ai jamais appris à nager, alors quand je suis entré dans l'océan, j'ai failli boire la tasse. - I never learned how to swim, so when I went into the ocean I nearly drowned.
Avec tout ce travail à faire, je pense qu'il va boire la tasse si nous ne lui donnons pas un coup de main. - With all this unfinished work, I think he is going to fail miserably if we don't lend him a hand.
Read also: Learning French: the origins and meaning of c’est de la daube
To whom do you say boire la tasse?
It is considered neutral, colloquial language and can be used with friends, family, or strangers as a playful tease, without any risk of causing offence.
Depending on your tone of voice, however, some people may not appreciate their failures being pointed out.
Take this into consideration before using this expression in everyday French discussion.
If you would like us to explain a particular word or expression, or if you have any other Learning French suggestions, let us know at: feedback@connexionfrance.com
