En 15 segundos
- Means an idea or plan is logical and solid.
- Used to confirm if a story or project is credible.
- Comes from car handling; it means 'holding the road'.
Significado
Actually, this phrase means a plan or argument makes sense and is solid. It describes something that holds up under pressure or scrutiny.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Reviewing a project at work
Ton projet tient la route, on peut le présenter au chef.
Your project is solid, we can present it to the boss.
Listening to a friend's excuse
Ton excuse ne tient pas du tout la route !
Your excuse doesn't make any sense at all!
Discussing a movie plot
Le scénario est sympa, mais la fin ne tient pas la route.
The script is nice, but the ending doesn't hold up.
Contexto cultural
The French love for 'la bagnole' (cars) in the 20th century heavily influenced their idioms. Despite modern environmental shifts, car metaphors remain dominant in business and logic. In Quebec, you might also hear 'tenir la route', but they also use 'avoir de l'allure' to mean something makes sense or looks good. The usage is identical to France, often used in political debates on RTBF to critique policy proposals. Swiss French speakers use it frequently in the context of precision and reliability, reflecting local values of quality.
Use it in the negative
Native speakers use 'ça ne tient pas la route' much more often than the positive version to point out flaws.
Don't use for people's character
Don't say 'Il tient la route' to mean someone is a good person. It only refers to their performance or health.
En 15 segundos
- Means an idea or plan is logical and solid.
- Used to confirm if a story or project is credible.
- Comes from car handling; it means 'holding the road'.
What It Means
Imagine a car that stays steady on a sharp turn. That is exactly what tenir la route feels like. It describes an idea, a story, or a project that is robust. If your excuse for being late is believable, it tient la route. If a business plan is logical, it tient la route. It is about stability and credibility. It does not mean being in trouble. In fact, it is the opposite! It means your situation is under control and makes sense.
How To Use It
You use it just like a regular verb. The subject is usually the thing being judged. You can say Ton idée tient la route (Your idea holds water). It is very common in professional and personal life. You can also use it in the negative. If someone tells a lie that is obvious, you say Ça ne tient pas la route. It is a great way to sound like a native speaker. It shows you are looking for logic and quality.
When To Use It
Use it when you are evaluating something. It works perfectly during a meeting at work. Use it when a friend explains a new theory. It is great for reviewing a movie plot. If the ending was logical, it tient la route. Use it when you want to give a compliment. It tells someone their work is solid and well-thought-out. It is a very versatile and positive expression.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it to describe people's physical health. It is not about a person standing up. Do not use it for very formal legal documents. It is a bit too colorful for a court of law. Avoid using it for simple facts. You would not say The sky is blue tient la route. It is for things that require a bit of reasoning. Don't confuse it with driving instructions either!
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the automotive world. France has a deep love for engineering and cars. A car with good 'tenue de route' (handling) is respected. Over time, this mechanical reliability became a metaphor for intellectual reliability. It reflects the French value of 'Cartesian' logic. If something is logical, it is beautiful. It became popular as cars became a central part of daily life.
Common Variations
You might hear tenir debout, which means 'to stand upright'. Both imply that an argument is strong. You can also say c'est du solide for something physical. In slang, people might just say ça passe. But tenir la route remains the gold standard for logic. It sounds smart without being stuck-up. It is the perfect middle-ground expression for any conversation.
Notas de uso
This is a neutral-to-informal idiom. It is perfectly acceptable in a business meeting to describe a strategy, but it's also common in a bar when debating sports. It's a 'safe' idiom that won't make you sound too aggressive or too childish.
Use it in the negative
Native speakers use 'ça ne tient pas la route' much more often than the positive version to point out flaws.
Don't use for people's character
Don't say 'Il tient la route' to mean someone is a good person. It only refers to their performance or health.
Perfect for debates
If you want to sound smart in a French discussion, use this to evaluate someone's argument.
Ejemplos
6Ton projet tient la route, on peut le présenter au chef.
Your project is solid, we can present it to the boss.
Shows the plan is well-constructed and logical.
Ton excuse ne tient pas du tout la route !
Your excuse doesn't make any sense at all!
Used negatively to call out a lie or weak logic.
Le scénario est sympa, mais la fin ne tient pas la route.
The script is nice, but the ending doesn't hold up.
Commonly used for critiques of stories or books.
Ton plan pour samedi tient la route. On fait comme ça ?
Your plan for Saturday works. Shall we do that?
Confirming that a logistical plan is feasible.
Cet argument tient la route, je dois l'admettre.
That argument is valid, I have to admit it.
Acknowledging the logic in someone else's point.
Le prix est élevé, mais la qualité tient la route.
The price is high, but the quality is up to par.
Used to describe the enduring quality of an object.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.
Son explication ne _______ pas la route.
The idiom is 'tenir la route'.
Fill in the missing word in this common phrase.
C'est un projet solide, il tient la _______.
'Route' is the only word that works in this specific idiom.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Je vais dire au prof que mon chien a mangé mon devoir.' B: 'Oublie ça, ton excuse _______.'
The excuse is bad, so the negative form is needed.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
Sentence: 'Ce vieux camion tient encore la route.'
In this context, it refers to the literal handling or durability of the truck.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Tenir la route vs. Tenir debout
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosSon explication ne _______ pas la route.
The idiom is 'tenir la route'.
C'est un projet solide, il tient la _______.
'Route' is the only word that works in this specific idiom.
A: 'Je vais dire au prof que mon chien a mangé mon devoir.' B: 'Oublie ça, ton excuse _______.'
The excuse is bad, so the negative form is needed.
Sentence: 'Ce vieux camion tient encore la route.'
In this context, it refers to the literal handling or durability of the truck.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, but only to mean they are still 'performing well' or are 'physically fit' for their age. It doesn't describe their personality.
It's direct but not necessarily rude. It's a common way to critique an idea in a professional or casual setting.
'Avoir du sens' is a literal translation of 'to make sense'. 'Tenir la route' is more idiomatic and suggests the idea is robust and well-constructed.
Yes: 'Son projet a tenu la route pendant deux ans' (His project was viable for two years).
It's slightly too informal for a cover letter. Use 'être cohérent' or 'être pertinent' instead.
No, the 'road' is purely metaphorical in 99% of cases today.
No, the article is fixed as 'la'. You cannot change it to a possessive adjective.
Yes, 'ça tient debout' or 'c'est du lourd' (though 'lourd' means something is very good/impressive).
Yes, if the recipe is logical and works well, you could say 'cette recette tient la route'.
The best translation is 'ça ne tient pas la route'.
Frases relacionadas
tenir debout
synonymTo stand up (to make sense)
avoir du sens
similarTo make sense
être tiré par les cheveux
contrastFar-fetched
tenir le coup
similarTo hold on / to endure
