mettre les bâtons dans les roues
To have courage
Literalmente: to put the sticks in the wheels
En 15 segundos
- To intentionally block or sabotage someone's progress or plans.
- Equivalent to 'putting a spoke in someone's wheel' in English.
- Used frequently regarding bureaucracy, difficult bosses, or competitive colleagues.
Significado
Actually, this phrase means to create obstacles or sabotage someone's progress. It is the French way of saying someone is 'putting a spoke in your wheel' to slow you down.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Complaining about a difficult boss
Mon patron me met toujours des bâtons dans les roues pour mes projets.
My boss is always putting spokes in my wheels for my projects.
Frustration with government paperwork
L'administration adore nous mettre des bâtons dans les roues.
The administration loves to put obstacles in our way.
Texting a friend about a rival
Elle essaie encore de me mettre des bâtons dans les roues !
She's trying to sabotage me again!
Contexto cultural
In France, this phrase is often used in political debates. When one party proposes a law, the other is frequently accused of 'mettre les bâtons dans les roues' through amendments and procedural delays. While the phrase is used in Quebec, you might also hear 'mettre des bâtons dans les roues' with a slightly different accent. The meaning remains identical to European French. In Belgium, where coalition governments are common, this idiom is frequently used to describe the friction between different political parties sharing power. In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, French idioms are often blended with local metaphors, but 'mettre les bâtons dans les roues' remains a standard way to describe workplace jealousy.
Use 'des' instead of 'les'
In casual conversation, saying 'mettre DES bâtons dans les roues' sounds slightly more natural than 'LES bâtons'.
Don't use for accidents
Remember, this idiom implies someone is doing it on purpose. Don't use it for a flat tire or a storm.
En 15 segundos
- To intentionally block or sabotage someone's progress or plans.
- Equivalent to 'putting a spoke in someone's wheel' in English.
- Used frequently regarding bureaucracy, difficult bosses, or competitive colleagues.
What It Means
Imagine you are riding a bicycle. Everything is going great. Suddenly, someone shoves a wooden stick into your spokes. You stop instantly. You might even crash. In French, mettre les bâtons dans les roues describes this exact sabotage. It is about interference. It is about making a simple task difficult for someone else. You are not just being unhelpful. You are actively blocking progress.
How To Use It
You use this phrase like a regular verb. The verb is mettre. You conjugate it to match the subject. For example, Il me met des bâtons dans les roues. Notice the addition of des or les. You can also say who is receiving the sticks. Use it when you feel frustrated. Use it when someone's rules feel like traps. It is a very visual way to complain about red tape or difficult bosses.
When To Use It
Use this in the office when a colleague loses your files. Use it at home when your sibling ruins your plans. It is perfect for talking about bureaucracy. French people love using it for government paperwork. If the bank asks for ten different IDs, they are putting sticks in your wheels. It fits any moment where progress is intentionally slowed down.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for accidental mistakes. If your friend spills coffee on your homework, that is an accident. This phrase implies intent. Someone is trying to stop you. Also, do not use it for physical accidents. If you actually fall off a bike, just say you fell. This is for metaphorical sabotage only. Keep it for situations involving plans, projects, or goals.
Cultural Background
This expression dates back to the transport era of carts and wagons. Back then, wheels had large gaps between the wooden spokes. To stop a heavy cart on a hill, you would literally jam a sturdy pole into the wheel. It was a manual brake system. Over time, it shifted from a safety measure to a metaphor for sabotage. It captures the French spirit of resisting unnecessary authority.
Common Variations
You might hear se mettre des bâtons dans les roues. This means you are sabotaging yourself. We all do it sometimes. You might also hear chercher à mettre des bâtons dans les roues. This means someone is actively looking for ways to ruin your day. It adds a layer of drama to the situation. It makes the 'villain' of your story seem more determined.
Notas de uso
This is a neutral-to-informal idiom. It is safe for the office when speaking with colleagues you know well, but avoid it in high-level formal speeches.
Use 'des' instead of 'les'
In casual conversation, saying 'mettre DES bâtons dans les roues' sounds slightly more natural than 'LES bâtons'.
Don't use for accidents
Remember, this idiom implies someone is doing it on purpose. Don't use it for a flat tire or a storm.
The 'Lui' placement
When sabotaging a specific person, put the pronoun before the verb: 'Il LUI met les bâtons dans les roues'.
Ejemplos
6Mon patron me met toujours des bâtons dans les roues pour mes projets.
My boss is always putting spokes in my wheels for my projects.
Describes a superior intentionally slowing down work.
L'administration adore nous mettre des bâtons dans les roues.
The administration loves to put obstacles in our way.
A very common French sentiment about bureaucracy.
Elle essaie encore de me mettre des bâtons dans les roues !
She's trying to sabotage me again!
Short and punchy for a quick vent via text.
Je me suis mis des bâtons dans les roues en arrivant en retard.
I sabotaged myself by arriving late.
Uses the reflexive form to show self-sabotage.
Arrêtez de nous mettre des bâtons dans les roues avec ces détails.
Stop blocking us with these details.
Direct and assertive in a professional setting.
Il ne veut pas que je réussisse, il me met des bâtons dans les roues.
He doesn't want me to succeed; he's sabotaging me.
Expresses emotional frustration over someone's interference.
Ponte a prueba
Conjugate the verb 'mettre' in the present tense to complete the sentence.
Tu me _______ toujours les bâtons dans les roues quand j'ai une idée !
The subject is 'Tu', so the correct conjugation of 'mettre' is 'mets'.
Which situation best describes 'mettre les bâtons dans les roues'?
Situation:
This is an intentional act of sabotage to hinder progress.
Match the French phrase with its English equivalent.
Match these:
These two idioms share the same mechanical imagery.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
A: Pourquoi le projet est en retard ? B: Parce que le directeur nous _______.
The past tense (passé composé) of 'mettre' is 'a mis'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosTu me _______ toujours les bâtons dans les roues quand j'ai une idée !
The subject is 'Tu', so the correct conjugation of 'mettre' is 'mets'.
Situation:
This is an intentional act of sabotage to hinder progress.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These two idioms share the same mechanical imagery.
A: Pourquoi le projet est en retard ? B: Parce que le directeur nous _______.
The past tense (passé composé) of 'mettre' is 'a mis'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it is neutral. You can use it in a professional setting to describe difficulties, though it does sound accusatory if directed at a person.
Yes! Use 'se mettre des bâtons dans les roues' to mean you are sabotaging yourself.
There is almost no difference in meaning. 'Des' is more common in speech, 'les' is more traditional.
Yes, it is universally understood in France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and Africa.
It's rare. The idiom is almost always plural because one stick might not be enough to stop the wheel!
Yes, you can use the verb 'entraver' or 'faire obstruction'.
It can apply to institutions (like 'the government') or abstract things (like 'the law').
This is the perfect translation! You can also use 'mettre un grain de sable dans l'engrenage'.
Absolutely: 'Il va nous mettre les bâtons dans les roues.'
Very common. You will hear it in news, movies, and daily life.
Frases relacionadas
savonner la planche
similarTo soap the board (to make someone fail).
faire obstacle
synonymTo create an obstacle.
se mettre des bâtons dans les roues
specialized formTo self-sabotage.
faciliter la tâche
contrastTo make the task easier.
