Curious French expression N°13 : jeter un coup d’oeil

What does this curious French expression mean ? Here is one popular French expression that one can uses everyday : jeter un coup d’oeil ! 👁

Jeter un coup d’oeil meaning

This is one French expression which is very easy to use in everyday conversation. Now what do you think is the signification of this popular French expression in English: let’s have a look at the picture :

Some owl looking with one eye only 🦉
She is glancing !

Three French words :
 “jeter” = to throw
“un coup” = a blow
“d’oeil” = eye ?!?

It literally means “to throw a blow of eye” ?!?

To understand this popular French idiom, let’s have a look at its origin

Jeter un coup d’oeil Origin

There is no known origin for this expression. 😕

We can notice that this expression is also used as a shorter version

The verb ‘jeter’ which means to throw associated with the word ‘coup’ which means a blow gives the indications that this is a brief action. Thus ‘jeter un coup d’oeil’ means to do something quickly. In this French idiom, ‘l’oeil’ is the ‘eye’ so it means to have a quick look !

Jeter un coup d’oeil Translation in English

I think that ‘jeter un oeil’ could be translated as

Jeter un coup d’oeil French examples

Here are some examples of this French expression : jeter un coup d’oeil

Jeter un coup d’oeil French synonyms

Here are a few synonyms in French of this popular French expression :

Regarder

Observer

Voir

Synonyms of ‘jeter un coup d’oeil’

Jeter un coup d’oeil Quote

Here is a quote in a French book :

Jeter un coup d’oeil ‘à’ or ‘sur’

Both prepositions ‘à’ or ‘sur’ can be used after ‘jeter un coup d’oeil’, for example :

Je jette un coup d’oeil à la fenêtre. I am looking at the window.

Je jette un coup d’oeil sur le bébé. I am having a look at the baby.

Voilà, this was today’s French idiom in English, I hope you liked it. Click here to find out about the challenge of 50 French idioms in English.

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And I’ll see you next time for more French idioms in English ! 👍🧡

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