In 15 Sekunden
- Demanding something very loudly and insistently.
- Originates from medieval hunting horns and shouts.
- Used with verbs like 'demander' or 'réclamer'.
Bedeutung
Contrary to the provided prompt, this phrase actually means to demand something very loudly and insistently. It is used when someone is clamoring for something or making a huge fuss to get what they want.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Describing a political protest
Les manifestants réclament la démission du ministre à cor et à cri.
The protesters are loudly demanding the minister's resignation.
Talking about a child's tantrum
Léo voulait son jouet à cor et à cri dans le magasin.
Léo was screaming for his toy in the store.
In a business meeting about a difficult client
Le client demande une remise à cor et à cri depuis hier.
The client has been clamoring for a discount since yesterday.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is deeply linked to 'la vènerie' (hunting with hounds), which is still a controversial but practiced tradition in France. It reflects a time when hunting was the primary social activity of the elite. Journalists love this phrase because it adds drama to headlines. It's frequently used in 'Le Monde' or 'Le Figaro' to describe political pressure. While used in Quebec, it remains quite formal. In everyday Quebecois French, people might use more colorful local expressions for making a fuss, but they will understand this idiom perfectly. Classic authors like Victor Hugo used this phrase to describe the 'voice of the people.' It carries a certain romantic, revolutionary weight in literature.
Use with 'Réclamer'
If you aren't sure which verb to use, 'réclamer' is almost always the perfect partner for this phrase.
Spelling Trap
Never write 'corps' (body). Even though it sounds the same, a body doesn't make noise like a horn does!
In 15 Sekunden
- Demanding something very loudly and insistently.
- Originates from medieval hunting horns and shouts.
- Used with verbs like 'demander' or 'réclamer'.
What It Means
Imagine someone standing on a soapbox with a megaphone. That is the energy of à cor et à cri. It describes demanding something with great noise and persistence. You aren't just asking; you are making sure everyone in the building hears you. It implies a sense of urgency and perhaps a bit of drama. It is the verbal equivalent of a protest march.
How To Use It
You use this phrase after a verb of asking or demanding. Common partners include demander, réclamer, or vouloir. It functions like an adverb to describe the intensity of the request. For example, if your toddler wants chocolate, they might ask à cor et à cri. It paints a vivid picture of the scene.
When To Use It
Use it when the demand is public or very loud. It works great when talking about political demands or social movements. You can also use it for personal situations that feel overwhelming. Use it at work if a client is being particularly pushy. It adds a touch of sophisticated flair to your storytelling. It makes your descriptions feel more cinematic.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for a polite, quiet request. If you whisper a secret, this phrase does not fit. Avoid it in very dry, technical reports unless you want to sound poetic. It is too intense for a casual 'pass the salt' moment. If the person is being subtle, this is the wrong tool. It is for the loud and the proud.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes straight from the world of medieval hunting. The cor is the hunting horn used to signal the pack. The cri refers to the shouts of the hunters and the hounds. It evokes the chaotic, noisy energy of a chase in the woods. Over time, it moved from the forest to the courtroom and the streets. It remains a very classic, slightly literary French idiom.
Common Variations
You won't find many variations because it is a fixed expression. However, you might see people use just à grands cris for a similar effect. Sometimes it is used ironically to mock someone being a 'drama queen'. Stick to the full version for the most impact. It sounds elegant and educated when used correctly.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is adverbial. It always follows a verb of action or desire. It is perfectly acceptable in both professional writing and spirited conversation.
Use with 'Réclamer'
If you aren't sure which verb to use, 'réclamer' is almost always the perfect partner for this phrase.
Spelling Trap
Never write 'corps' (body). Even though it sounds the same, a body doesn't make noise like a horn does!
Journalistic Flair
Use this in your French writing exams (DELF/DALF) to describe social issues; it will impress the examiners with your register awareness.
Hyperbole
You can use it jokingly with friends to describe a very small demand that someone is making a big deal about.
Beispiele
6Les manifestants réclament la démission du ministre à cor et à cri.
The protesters are loudly demanding the minister's resignation.
Perfect for high-stakes public demands.
Léo voulait son jouet à cor et à cri dans le magasin.
Léo was screaming for his toy in the store.
Adds a bit of descriptive drama to a common scene.
Le client demande une remise à cor et à cri depuis hier.
The client has been clamoring for a discount since yesterday.
Shows the client is being very persistent and loud.
Tout le monde réclame une suite à cor et à cri !
Everyone is crying out for a sequel!
Hyperbolic use to show popular demand.
Mon chat demande ses croquettes à cor et à cri dès 6h du matin.
My cat demands his kibble at the top of his lungs starting at 6 AM.
Uses the hunting origin ironically for a small pet.
La famille de la victime demande justice à cor et à cri.
The victim's family is desperately crying out for justice.
Conveys the intensity of a heartfelt plea.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Les manifestants réclament la justice à ___ et à ___.
The idiom is 'à cor et à cri' (singular). 'Cor' is the hunting horn.
Which verb is MOST commonly used with 'à cor et à cri'?
On utilise souvent cette expression avec le verbe :
'Réclamer' (to demand) is the most natural pairing for this idiom.
Match the situation to the sentence.
Situation: A crowd wants an encore at a concert.
A 'bis' is an encore, which a crowd would loudly demand.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Pourquoi le patron est-il stressé ? B: Parce que les clients demandent le nouveau produit ___.
The context of stress implies the customers are being very insistent and loud.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Loudness vs. Insistence
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenLes manifestants réclament la justice à ___ et à ___.
The idiom is 'à cor et à cri' (singular). 'Cor' is the hunting horn.
On utilise souvent cette expression avec le verbe :
'Réclamer' (to demand) is the most natural pairing for this idiom.
Situation: A crowd wants an encore at a concert.
A 'bis' is an encore, which a crowd would loudly demand.
A: Pourquoi le patron est-il stressé ? B: Parce que les clients demandent le nouveau produit ___.
The context of stress implies the customers are being very insistent and loud.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenIt has historical roots, but it is very much alive in modern journalism and formal speech. It's not 'slang,' but it's not 'dead' either.
Yes, an individual can demand something à cor et à cri, though it often implies they are trying to get a lot of people to listen.
Not necessarily. It can describe a very enthusiastic audience or a desperate search for a positive solution.
Because it comes from hunting, where the 'cor de chasse' was the specific instrument used, not a trumpet.
No, the order is fixed. It's always 'cor' then 'cri'.
No, the phrase is an invariable adverbial block.
It's more specific than 'loudly.' It means loudly *and* insistently with a goal in mind.
Yes, if you want to emphasize that a client or a market is strongly demanding something.
The closest is 'to clamor for' or 'to cry out for.'
Yes, it is standard French across the Francophonie.
Only if you are being metaphorical or funny about the baby 'demanding' milk.
No, 'cor' is horn. 'Cœur' is heart. They sound different in French.
Verwandte Redewendungen
À grands cris
similarLoudly and with much shouting
Mener grand bruit
similarTo make a lot of fuss
Crier sur tous les toits
relatedTo shout from the rooftops
Faire un foin
informalTo make a scene
Réclamer justice
builds onTo demand justice
