Meaning
Quickly and secretly, to avoid being seen or noticed.
Cultural Background
In major cities like Paris, 'la vente à la sauvette' is a major political issue, often involving migrants selling water, souvenirs, or roasted chestnuts. It represents the 'informal economy' of the city. Despite the stereotype of long lunches, many modern French workers now eat 'à la sauvette' at their desks, a trend that is often lamented in the media as the 'death of the lunch break'. The phrase evokes the 'Paris populaire' of the 19th century, the world of Victor Hugo and Zola, where the street was a place of constant survival and evasion. In legal terms, 'à la sauvette' is used to define specific infractions related to the occupation of public space without authorization.
Use for Food
It's the most natural way to describe a 'sad desk lunch' or a quick snack in the street.
Avoid in Formal Reports
Unless you are writing about illegal trade, it sounds a bit too casual for a professional report.
Meaning
Quickly and secretly, to avoid being seen or noticed.
Use for Food
It's the most natural way to describe a 'sad desk lunch' or a quick snack in the street.
Avoid in Formal Reports
Unless you are writing about illegal trade, it sounds a bit too casual for a professional report.
The 'Stealth' Nuance
Remember: if there's no element of 'hiding' or 'informality,' just use 'rapidement'.
The Police Connection
Using this phrase in Paris will immediately make you sound like a local who understands the city's street dynamics.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Comme je n'avais que dix minutes, j'ai mangé mon sandwich ________.
The phrase is a fixed locution: 'à la sauvette'.
Which situation best describes an action 'à la sauvette'?
Quelle situation correspond à 'à la sauvette' ?
This is the literal and most accurate origin of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
— Tu as pu parler au patron ? — Oui, mais juste ________ dans le couloir, il était très pressé.
While 'à la hâte' is possible, 'à la sauvette' emphasizes the informal, 'on-the-run' nature of the hallway meeting.
Match the action to the reason it's 'à la sauvette'.
Pourquoi dit-on 'à la sauvette' dans ces cas ?
The phrase covers illegality, lack of time, and lack of formality.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Speed vs. Secrecy
Practice Bank
4 exercisesComme je n'avais que dix minutes, j'ai mangé mon sandwich ________.
The phrase is a fixed locution: 'à la sauvette'.
Quelle situation correspond à 'à la sauvette' ?
This is the literal and most accurate origin of the phrase.
— Tu as pu parler au patron ? — Oui, mais juste ________ dans le couloir, il était très pressé.
While 'à la hâte' is possible, 'à la sauvette' emphasizes the informal, 'on-the-run' nature of the hallway meeting.
Pourquoi dit-on 'à la sauvette' dans ces cas ?
The phrase covers illegality, lack of time, and lack of formality.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsNot necessarily. While it can imply illegality, it's often used neutrally to describe being in a rush.
Yes, it's very common to use it to describe a quick, informal meal.
'En douce' is more about being sneaky/deceptive, while 'à la sauvette' is more about being hurried/informal.
No, it's informal/neutral. It's used in newspapers and everyday conversation.
Yes! 'On s'est téléphoné à la sauvette' works perfectly.
No, it is always 'à la sauvette', regardless of who is doing the action.
'Sauvette' comes from 'se sauver' (to escape), while 'sauvage' means wild. They are unrelated.
In France, yes, it is an infraction to sell goods in public without a permit.
No, that would be 'en excès de vitesse' or 'à toute allure'.
Yes, though they might also use 'à la va-vite'.
Only if you do it quickly and secretly, like knitting under your desk at work.
Something done 'dans les règles de l'art' (by the book) or 'posément' (calmly).
Yes, the double 'tt' makes the 'e' before it an 'è' sound and the 't' is clearly heard.
Yes, though 'en coup de vent' is slightly more common for visits.
Related Phrases
En catimini
synonymIn secret
En douce
similarOn the quiet
À la hâte
similarIn a hurry
Sur le pouce
specialized formOn the go (for food)
En coup de vent
similarVery briefly
À la dérobée
synonymStealthily
