Significado
To do something negligently or without proper attention.
Contexto cultural
In France, this phrase is often used to criticize the 'administration' or 'la bureaucratie'. It reflects a common frustration with civil servants who are perceived as being indifferent to individual cases. While understood, Quebecers might also use 'faire ça à la va-comme-je-te-pousse' to express a similar idea of doing something haphazardly. In Belgium, the phrase is used identically to France, often in the context of political negotiations or complex social compromises (le compromis à la belge) when they are seen as poorly constructed. In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, the phrase is used in formal education contexts to reprimand students, though local slang like 'faire ça cadeau' (to do it for nothing/poorly) might be more common in the streets.
Use with 'Traiter'
While 'faire' works, using 'traiter' makes you sound much more like a native speaker at the C1 level.
Register Check
Don't use this in a formal letter to a CEO. It's too colorful and slightly aggressive.
Significado
To do something negligently or without proper attention.
Use with 'Traiter'
While 'faire' works, using 'traiter' makes you sound much more like a native speaker at the C1 level.
Register Check
Don't use this in a formal letter to a CEO. It's too colorful and slightly aggressive.
The 'Je-m'en-foutisme'
This phrase is the perfect way to describe the 'I don't care' attitude that the French call 'je-m'en-foutisme'.
Ponte a prueba
Complétez la phrase avec le verbe approprié au présent.
Il _______ toujours ses responsabilités par-dessus la jambe.
'Traiter' is the most common verb used with this idiom to describe handling responsibilities.
Quelle phrase exprime une critique de la négligence ?
Choisissez la bonne option :
The idiom 'par-dessus la jambe' specifically denotes negligence.
Complétez le dialogue de manière naturelle.
A: 'Le plombier est venu réparer la fuite, mais ça goutte encore.' B: 'C'est incroyable, il a encore _________________.'
In the context of a repair, 'travaillé' or 'fait ça' are the natural choices.
Associez l'expression au bon contexte.
Dans quelle situation utiliseriez-vous 'par-dessus la jambe' ?
This situation describes the specific 'negligence' and 'lack of care' the phrase implies.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIl _______ toujours ses responsabilités par-dessus la jambe.
'Traiter' is the most common verb used with this idiom to describe handling responsibilities.
Choisissez la bonne option :
The idiom 'par-dessus la jambe' specifically denotes negligence.
A: 'Le plombier est venu réparer la fuite, mais ça goutte encore.' B: 'C'est incroyable, il a encore _________________.'
In the context of a repair, 'travaillé' or 'fait ça' are the natural choices.
Dans quelle situation utiliseriez-vous 'par-dessus la jambe' ?
This situation describes the specific 'negligence' and 'lack of care' the phrase implies.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt is written with a hyphen: 'par-dessus'.
No, you don't 'faire une personne par-dessus la jambe'. You 'traiter' their requests or feelings that way.
No, it's informal but not vulgar. You can use it in front of children or in a relaxed office.
The opposite would be 'faire quelque chose avec soin' or 'traiter avec rigueur'.
No, it is always singular: 'la jambe'.
No, the article 'la' is fixed. You cannot use possessive adjectives.
It's common in journalism and informal emails, but rare in academic writing.
It comes from the idea of doing something while casually stepping over it, showing no effort.
Almost never. It is nearly always a criticism of poor quality.
Yes, it is a standard idiom across the Francophonie.
Frases relacionadas
Bâcler
synonymTo botch or do work quickly and poorly.
À la légère
similarTo do something without taking it seriously.
S'en foutre
builds onTo not care at all.
Faire ça à l'arrache
synonymTo do something at the last minute/poorly.
Prendre par-dessus l'épaule
contrastTo look down on someone.
