المعنى
To end a relationship or communication with someone completely.
خلفية ثقافية
In France, privacy and 'le jardin secret' are valued. Cutting ties is often seen as a necessary step for personal peace rather than just being rude. In Quebec, the phrase is used identically, but you might also hear 'virer le capot' in very different contexts, though 'couper les ponts' remains the standard for relationships. The phrase is used in literature and music across the Francophonie to signal a 'clean slate' (faire table rase).
Use with 'avec'
Always remember to add 'avec' if you mention the person. 'Couper les ponts avec Marie.'
It's permanent
This phrase is very strong. Don't use it for a small argument.
المعنى
To end a relationship or communication with someone completely.
Use with 'avec'
Always remember to add 'avec' if you mention the person. 'Couper les ponts avec Marie.'
It's permanent
This phrase is very strong. Don't use it for a small argument.
Social Media Context
In modern French, you can use this to describe 'unfollowing' or 'blocking' someone permanently.
اختبر نفسك
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Après leur dispute, Luc a décidé de ______ les ponts avec son frère.
The standard idiom uses the verb 'couper'.
Which situation best describes 'couper les ponts'?
What is Marc doing?
The phrase means ending all communication permanently.
Match the French phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are three different idioms using 'couper'.
Choose the best response.
- Tu parles encore à ton ancien patron ? - Non, ...
This is the natural way to say you no longer communicate with a former boss.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينAprès leur dispute, Luc a décidé de ______ les ponts avec son frère.
The standard idiom uses the verb 'couper'.
What is Marc doing?
The phrase means ending all communication permanently.
طابق كل عنصر على اليسار مع زوجه على اليمين:
These are three different idioms using 'couper'.
- Tu parles encore à ton ancien patron ? - Non, ...
This is the natural way to say you no longer communicate with a former boss.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
6 أسئلةIt's not rude, but it is very serious. It describes a harsh reality.
No, it must be plural 'les ponts' to be understood as the idiom.
'Ghoster' is slang and implies disappearing without explanation. 'Couper les ponts' is a more formal/neutral way to describe the end of the relationship.
Yes, it means you left the company and have no contact with former colleagues.
Rarely. It's better for spoken French or informal emails.
Use 'avoir': 'J'ai coupé les ponts.'
عبارات ذات صلة
Faire table rase
similarTo start from scratch by ignoring the past.
Tourner la page
builds onTo move on from a situation.
Prendre ses distances
contrastTo distance oneself gradually.
