Significado
To engage in an activity with extreme enthusiasm and dedication.
Contexto cultural
In France, there is a romanticized view of the 'passionné'. Being 'à corps perdu' in one's work is often seen as a sign of true character, especially in the arts and gastronomy. In Quebec, the expression is well-understood but might compete with more English-influenced terms like 'se lancer tête première'. In Francophone West Africa, French idioms are often used with great formal precision. 'Se jeter à corps perdu' might be used in political speeches to show dedication to the nation. Belgian French uses this idiom frequently in the context of 'le surréalisme'—describing artists who abandon logic for their craft.
Use with 'Y'
If the activity has already been mentioned, use 'y' to avoid repetition: 'Il s'y jette à corps perdu'.
Don't agree 'perdu'
Remember that 'perdu' is part of a fixed adverbial phrase. Do not add an 'e' or 's' to it.
Significado
To engage in an activity with extreme enthusiasm and dedication.
Use with 'Y'
If the activity has already been mentioned, use 'y' to avoid repetition: 'Il s'y jette à corps perdu'.
Don't agree 'perdu'
Remember that 'perdu' is part of a fixed adverbial phrase. Do not add an 'e' or 's' to it.
C1 Nuance
Use this in essays to describe a character's motivation. It sounds much more sophisticated than 'il travaille dur'.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct reflexive pronoun and the idiom.
Elle a décidé de quitter son job. Elle ___ ________ à corps perdu dans l'humanitaire.
The sentence implies a past action that has started. 'S'est jetée' is the feminine past tense.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'se jeter à corps perdu'?
Quel scénario correspond le mieux à l'expression ?
Option B implies the intense, total commitment that the idiom describes.
Match the register with the correct sentence.
Associez le registre à la phrase.
These are the three main ways to express the idea across different registers.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Marc a commencé le piano hier. B: Oui, et il y passe déjà 5 heures par jour ! Il ___ _________ à corps perdu.
We use 'y' to replace 'dans le piano/dans cette activité'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosElle a décidé de quitter son job. Elle ___ ________ à corps perdu dans l'humanitaire.
The sentence implies a past action that has started. 'S'est jetée' is the feminine past tense.
Quel scénario correspond le mieux à l'expression ?
Option B implies the intense, total commitment that the idiom describes.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are the three main ways to express the idea across different registers.
A: Marc a commencé le piano hier. B: Oui, et il y passe déjà 5 heures par jour ! Il ___ _________ à corps perdu.
We use 'y' to replace 'dans le piano/dans cette activité'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasNot necessarily. While it shows passion, it can also imply a lack of caution or a desperate attempt to escape reality.
No, you throw yourself into a *thing* (activity, project, cause), not into a person, though you can throw yourself into a *relationship*.
'Corps et âme' is more formal and suggests a long-term devotion, while 'à corps perdu' often describes the initial, intense plunge into something.
No, it is always silent. It sounds like 'kor'.
Frases relacionadas
S'investir corps et âme
synonymTo invest body and soul.
Se donner à fond
similarTo give one's all.
Brûler la chandelle par les deux bouts
contrastTo burn the candle at both ends.
Prendre son temps
contrastTo take one's time.
