Meaning
To locate or acquire something after searching for it.
Cultural Background
In French administration, 'mettre la main sur un dossier' is a common phrase used by civil servants when they finally locate a physical file in the archives. In Quebec, the phrase is used identically to France, but you might also hear 'mettre la patte sur' (to put the paw on) in very informal contexts. The phrase is frequently used in 'Faits Divers' (crime news) in newspapers across the French-speaking world.
Use it for the 'Aha!' moment
Use this phrase when you want to sound relieved or successful about finding something.
Don't forget the 'la'
It is always 'la main' (singular), never 'les mains' (plural) in this idiom.
Meaning
To locate or acquire something after searching for it.
Use it for the 'Aha!' moment
Use this phrase when you want to sound relieved or successful about finding something.
Don't forget the 'la'
It is always 'la main' (singular), never 'les mains' (plural) in this idiom.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form (Passé Composé).
Hier, j'ai enfin ___ la main sur mon vieux journal.
The past participle of 'mettre' is 'mis'.
Which sentence means 'I found my keys'?
Choose the correct option:
The idiom always uses the preposition 'sur'.
Match the situation to the sentence.
The police caught the thief.
The idiom is used for apprehending people as well as finding objects.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu as trouvé un appartement ? B: Oui, j'ai enfin ___ !
When the object is already known, we use 'dessus' instead of 'sur [objet]'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
What can you 'mettre la main sur'?
Objects
- • Clés
- • Livre
- • Téléphone
People
- • Voleur
- • Suspect
- • Ami perdu
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHier, j'ai enfin ___ la main sur mon vieux journal.
The past participle of 'mettre' is 'mis'.
Choose the correct option:
The idiom always uses the preposition 'sur'.
The police caught the thief.
The idiom is used for apprehending people as well as finding objects.
A: Tu as trouvé un appartement ? B: Oui, j'ai enfin ___ !
When the object is already known, we use 'dessus' instead of 'sur [objet]'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, but it usually implies you were looking for them or they were trying to hide (like a suspect or a busy boss).
No, it is perfectly polite and neutral.
No, the idiom uses the definite article 'la' regardless of whose hand it is.
Related Phrases
Mettre le grappin sur
similarTo catch or seize someone/something.
Donner un coup de main
contrastTo help someone.
Faire main basse sur
specialized formTo steal or grab everything greedily.
