Meaning
To be experiencing a period of continuous success or good fortune.
Cultural Background
In French business culture, being 'sur une bonne lancée' is often used in annual reviews (entretiens annuels) to justify a bonus or promotion. Quebecers use this phrase frequently in sports, especially hockey, to describe a team's performance during the playoffs. In Francophone West Africa, the phrase is used in educational contexts to encourage students who are showing consistent improvement. Similar to France, but often paired with 'profiter de' to emphasize taking advantage of the momentum.
Use it for encouragement
Instead of just saying 'Bravo', say 'Tu es sur une bonne lancée !' It sounds much more native and motivating.
Gender matters
Always use 'une' and 'bonne'. Saying 'un bon lancé' changes the meaning to 'a good throw' (like in basketball).
Meaning
To be experiencing a period of continuous success or good fortune.
Use it for encouragement
Instead of just saying 'Bravo', say 'Tu es sur une bonne lancée !' It sounds much more native and motivating.
Gender matters
Always use 'une' and 'bonne'. Saying 'un bon lancé' changes the meaning to 'a good throw' (like in basketball).
Business context
This is a very safe phrase for corporate environments. It shows you understand 'momentum' and 'growth'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition and article.
Depuis qu'elle a commencé son nouveau job, elle est _______ _______ bonne lancée.
The idiom always uses 'sur une' when describing a general state of momentum.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly in a professional context?
A: L'entreprise est sur une bonne lancée avec ses nouveaux produits. B: J'ai mangé une pomme et je suis sur une bonne lancée. C: Il a perdu ses clés, il est sur une bonne lancée.
A describes sustained success, which is the correct usage. B is too trivial, and C is negative.
Complete the dialogue.
Marc: 'J'ai déjà fini la moitié du rapport !' Sophie: 'C'est super, _______ !'
Sophie is encouraging Marc by acknowledging his momentum.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A tennis player wins 5 games in a row.
'Sur une bonne lancée' describes the winning streak.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDepuis qu'elle a commencé son nouveau job, elle est _______ _______ bonne lancée.
The idiom always uses 'sur une' when describing a general state of momentum.
A: L'entreprise est sur une bonne lancée avec ses nouveaux produits. B: J'ai mangé une pomme et je suis sur une bonne lancée. C: Il a perdu ses clés, il est sur une bonne lancée.
A describes sustained success, which is the correct usage. B is too trivial, and C is negative.
Marc: 'J'ai déjà fini la moitié du rapport !' Sophie: 'C'est super, _______ !'
Sophie is encouraging Marc by acknowledging his momentum.
Situation: A tennis player wins 5 games in a row.
'Sur une bonne lancée' describes the winning streak.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically you could say 'une mauvaise lancée', but it's very rare. Use 'une mauvaise passe' instead.
'Sur une bonne lancée' implies success. 'Sur sa lancée' just means continuing an action (e.g., 'While I was at it, I also did X').
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, in this idiom, it is always a feminine noun.
It's better to use 'sur'. 'Dans' is occasionally heard but 'sur' is the standard idiomatic preposition.
This is exactly the phrase! 'Être sur une bonne lancée'.
Yes, 'L'équipe est sur une bonne lancée' is very common in sports.
We rarely use it in the plural. We usually speak about one 'lancée' (momentum) for a group.
Yes, it's very common in all Francophone regions.
Yes, you can say 'une excellente lancée' or 'une incroyable lancée'.
Related Phrases
Avoir le vent en poupe
synonymTo have the wind in one's sails.
Être sur sa lancée
similarTo continue doing what one was doing.
Battre le fer tant qu'il est chaud
builds onStrike while the iron is hot.
Être en pleine ascension
similarTo be on the rise.
S'arrêter en si bon chemin
contrastTo stop when things are going well.
