Meaning
To run away very quickly, often out of fear or panic.
Cultural Background
The rabbit is a staple of French rural life and cuisine, but in idioms, it almost always represents flight or speed (e.g., 'poser un lapin' - to stand someone up). Jean de La Fontaine used animal metaphors to critique human behavior. While he didn't use this exact phrase, his work popularized the 'animal-like' description of human traits. The phrase is also used in Quebec, though sometimes competed with by English-influenced expressions. However, 'détaler' remains a strong, traditional choice. Belgian French uses this idiom identically to France, often in the context of comic strips (BD) like Tintin or Lucky Luke.
Use it for 'Noping' out
It's the perfect French equivalent for the modern internet slang 'to nope out' of a situation.
Watch the plural
Remember that 'lapin' usually stays singular unless you really want to emphasize that each person was like a separate rabbit.
Meaning
To run away very quickly, often out of fear or panic.
Use it for 'Noping' out
It's the perfect French equivalent for the modern internet slang 'to nope out' of a situation.
Watch the plural
Remember that 'lapin' usually stays singular unless you really want to emphasize that each person was like a separate rabbit.
Animal Idioms
French people love animal idioms. Learning this one opens the door to others like 'muet comme une carpe'.
Test Yourself
Complétez la phrase avec la forme correcte du verbe 'détaler'.
Dès que le gardien a crié, les enfants ont ______ comme des lapins.
In the passé composé with 'avoir', the past participle 'détalé' does not agree with the subject.
Quelle est la signification la plus proche de l'expression ?
Marc a détalé comme un lapin quand il a vu l'heure.
The idiom specifically refers to leaving at high speed.
Associez la situation à l'expression appropriée.
Un voleur voit une voiture de police.
A thief fleeing police is a classic context for this idiom.
Complétez le dialogue de manière naturelle.
— Pourquoi est-ce que Julie n'est plus là ? — Elle a vu son patron arriver et elle a...
Julie leaving quickly to avoid her boss fits the 'avoidance' sense of the idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDès que le gardien a crié, les enfants ont ______ comme des lapins.
In the passé composé with 'avoir', the past participle 'détalé' does not agree with the subject.
Marc a détalé comme un lapin quand il a vu l'heure.
The idiom specifically refers to leaving at high speed.
Un voleur voit une voiture de police.
A thief fleeing police is a classic context for this idiom.
— Pourquoi est-ce que Julie n'est plus là ? — Elle a vu son patron arriver et elle a...
Julie leaving quickly to avoid her boss fits the 'avoidance' sense of the idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's just informal. You can use it with friends and family without any problem.
Yes, you can say a car 'a détalé' if it sped off suddenly from a stoplight.
'S'enfuir' is neutral and just means to escape. 'Détaler' adds the nuance of sudden, frantic speed.
It is always 'un lapin' (a rabbit) because it's a general comparison.
Related Phrases
Prendre ses jambes à son cou
synonymTo run away as fast as possible.
Poser un lapin
similarTo stand someone up.
Filer à l'anglaise
similarTo leave without saying goodbye.
Déguerpir
synonymTo clear out or leave quickly.
