le tiède courage

You use this phrase to describe a lack of enthusiasm in a difficult situation. It usually functions as a noun phrase. You can say someone "has" this kind of courage or "shows" it. It is perfect for those moments when someone does the bare minimum to help. It sounds a bit poetic but is very easy to understand. Use it when you want to be slightly critical of someone's weak efforts.

Use it when your friend finally agrees to go on a roller coaster but complains the whole time. Use it in a meeting when a colleague agrees with a boss only after everyone else does. It is great for political discussions or social commentary. If someone is being "brave" only because it is convenient, this is your phrase. It fits well in emails, texts, or deep late-night conversations over wine.

Do not use this to describe a firefighter or a true hero. That would be very insulting! Also, avoid it if someone is genuinely terrified but trying their best. This phrase implies a bit of laziness or lack of character. If someone is truly a coward, use lâche instead. Tiède is for the people stuck in the boring middle. Don't use it for food unless you literally mean the temperature.

The French have a long history of intellectual and political debate. They value strong convictions and "grand gestures." Being tiède (lukewarm) is often seen as a character flaw in French literature. It suggests a lack of "panache" or soul. This expression echoes the idea that it is better to be hot or cold than simply mediocre. It is the ultimate insult for a boring bureaucrat.

You might hear people describe a person as being tiède on its own. You can also say un engagement tiède (a lukewarm commitment). Sometimes people use un courage de façade to mean a fake courage. However, le tiède courage remains the most evocative way to describe that specific, uninspiring middle ground. It sounds sophisticated and a bit biting.