In 15 Seconds
- Work twice as hard or fast.
- Urgent need to speed up.
- Origin: large food portions.
- Common in everyday French.
Meaning
This French idiom means to really pick up the pace and work much harder or faster. It's like saying you need to go into overdrive to get something done, especially when you're behind schedule or facing a tight deadline. Think of it as giving your all, with extra effort!
Key Examples
3 of 10Texting a friend about a project deadline
On doit vraiment `mettre les bouchées doubles` cette semaine pour finir ce projet !
We really have to put in double the effort this week to finish this project!
Student talking about exam preparation
J'ai oublié d'étudier pendant des semaines, alors maintenant je dois `mettre les bouchées doubles` pour rattraper mon retard.
I forgot to study for weeks, so now I have to work twice as hard to catch up.
At a family gathering, realizing you're late for the next event
Oh là là, il est déjà 15h ! Il faut `mettre les bouchées doubles` pour arriver à l'heure chez Mamie.
Oh dear, it's already 3 PM! We need to speed things up to arrive on time at Grandma's.
Cultural Background
In the French corporate world, 'mettre les bouchées doubles' is often heard during 'la charrette'—a term used by architects and designers to describe the final rush before a deadline. While used in Quebec, you might also hear 'se grouiller le cul' (very informal) or 'donner un grand coup' for similar situations. Belgian French speakers use this idiom identically to the French, often in the context of the country's famous bureaucracy or during the construction of its many tunnels. In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, the phrase is used in professional settings, though local expressions like 'se donner à fond' are also very popular.
Use it for motivation
You can use this to motivate a team. 'Allez tout le monde, on met les bouchées doubles !' sounds encouraging and energetic.
Don't use 'faire'
Even though you are 'doing' work, never say 'faire les bouchées doubles.' It's a common mistake for English speakers.
In 15 Seconds
- Work twice as hard or fast.
- Urgent need to speed up.
- Origin: large food portions.
- Common in everyday French.
What It Means
This phrase, mettre les bouchées doubles, is all about stepping up your game. It means to work twice as hard or twice as fast. You use it when you need to speed things up significantly. It carries a sense of urgency and determination. It’s like saying, "I need to really push myself now!"
Origin Story
The origin of mettre les bouchées doubles is quite tasty! It comes from the world of dining and banquets. Historically, at large feasts, guests might be served food in large, double portions, or bouchées doubles. This was to ensure everyone was well-fed, or perhaps to speed up the eating process if time was limited. Over time, this idea of taking larger, faster bites to get more done metaphorically shifted to working faster and harder in any task. It’s a delicious link to our past!
How To Use It
You use mettre les bouchées doubles when you need to accelerate your efforts. It applies to work, studies, or even personal projects. Imagine you have a looming deadline. You'd tell yourself, "I really need to mettre les bouchées doubles this weekend." It’s a call to action for yourself or others. You can also use it to describe someone else's intense effort. It's a very dynamic phrase!
Real-Life Examples
- At work: "Our project deadline is next week, so we'll have to
mettre les bouchées doublesto finish on time." - Studying: "I have my final exams tomorrow. I need to
mettre les bouchées doublestonight to review everything." - Personal project: "I want to finish painting the living room this weekend. I'll need to
mettre les bouchées doubles." - Running late: "We're already late for the train! Let's
mettre les bouchées doublesto get to the station."
When To Use It
Use mettre les bouchées doubles when there's a clear need for increased effort and speed. This is typically when you're behind schedule. It's perfect for situations with tight deadlines. Think of a crunch time at work or cramming for an exam. It conveys a sense of urgency and commitment. It’s not for everyday, relaxed tasks. It’s for when the pressure is on!
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using mettre les bouchées doubles for tasks that are already going smoothly. Don't use it for casual, leisurely activities. It wouldn't fit if you're just enjoying a relaxed evening. It’s also inappropriate for situations requiring careful, slow precision. If you're performing delicate surgery, you probably aren't mettant les bouchées doubles. It implies speed, not necessarily meticulousness. It’s also too informal for very serious, somber occasions.
Common Mistakes
A common error is using it too literally, thinking about actual food. Another mistake is applying it to situations that don't require extra speed. Sometimes learners confuse it with simply working 'hard'. Remember, it's about working harder AND faster.
- ✗ I need to
mettre les bouchées doublesto eat this delicious cake. → ✓ I need tomettre les bouchées doublesto finish this cake before my friend arrives! - ✗ We need to
mettre les bouchées doublesfor our vacation. → ✓ We need tomettre les bouchées doublesto finish our work before our vacation.
Similar Expressions
There are other ways to express the idea of working harder or faster. Some are more formal, others more colloquial. Think about phrases that convey urgency or increased effort. We'll explore some in the "Related Phrases" section. For now, just remember mettre les bouchées doubles is a vivid, common way to say it.
Memory Trick
Imagine you're at a buffet, and you see the last piece of your favorite dessert. You quickly grab a double helping (bouchée double) to make sure you get it before anyone else! That’s mettre les bouchées doubles – grabbing more, faster, when you really need it. It’s a race against time, or your friends!
Quick FAQ
- Is it always about food? No, the food origin is metaphorical. It’s about effort, not eating.
- Can I use it for studying? Absolutely! It's common for students facing exams.
- Is it formal? It's generally informal to neutral, best for everyday conversations.
- What if I'm not behind? You'd use it when you *need* to speed up, not just because you're working.
Usage Notes
This idiom is generally informal to neutral, best suited for conversations among peers or when discussing urgent tasks. While it can be used in professional settings to convey urgency, avoid it in highly formal speeches or writing. The key is the implication of needing to increase both speed and effort, often due to a time constraint.
Use it for motivation
You can use this to motivate a team. 'Allez tout le monde, on met les bouchées doubles !' sounds encouraging and energetic.
Don't use 'faire'
Even though you are 'doing' work, never say 'faire les bouchées doubles.' It's a common mistake for English speakers.
Combine with 'pour'
The most natural way to use this is with 'pour' + infinitive. 'Je mets les bouchées doubles pour réussir.'
Examples
10On doit vraiment `mettre les bouchées doubles` cette semaine pour finir ce projet !
We really have to put in double the effort this week to finish this project!
Used here to emphasize the need for increased work pace due to a deadline.
J'ai oublié d'étudier pendant des semaines, alors maintenant je dois `mettre les bouchées doubles` pour rattraper mon retard.
I forgot to study for weeks, so now I have to work twice as hard to catch up.
Highlights the consequence of procrastination and the resulting need for intense effort.
Oh là là, il est déjà 15h ! Il faut `mettre les bouchées doubles` pour arriver à l'heure chez Mamie.
Oh dear, it's already 3 PM! We need to speed things up to arrive on time at Grandma's.
Expresses urgency in a personal, familial context.
Semaine chargée en perspective ! Prêt(e) à `mettre les bouchées doubles` 🚀 #worklife #deadline
Busy week ahead! Ready to put in double the effort 🚀 #worklife #deadline
Modern usage on social media, conveying determination with an emoji.
Bien reçu. Je vais `mettre les bouchées doubles` pour que la commande soit prête pour demain matin.
Received. I'll put in double the effort so the order is ready for tomorrow morning.
Professional but direct, showing commitment to a tight turnaround.
Face à un délai très serré, j'ai dû `mettre les bouchées doubles` pour livrer le projet à temps.
Facing a very tight deadline, I had to put in double the effort to deliver the project on time.
Used in a professional context to demonstrate proactivity and hard work under pressure.
Mon appartement ressemble à une zone sinistrée. Je vais devoir `mettre les bouchées doubles`... ou engager quelqu'un !
My apartment looks like a disaster zone. I'll have to put in double the effort... or hire someone!
Lighthearted use, adding a touch of humor by contrasting intense effort with hiring help.
Je suis tellement fatigué mais je dois `mettre les bouchées doubles` pour finir ce rapport.
I'm so tired but I have to work twice as hard to finish this report.
Conveys emotional weight – the struggle against fatigue to meet demands.
✗ J'adore ce gâteau, je vais `mettre les bouchées doubles` ! → ✓ J'adore ce gâteau, je vais le dévorer !
✗ I love this cake, I'm going to put in double bites! → ✓ I love this cake, I'm going to devour it!
The phrase is about effort, not literally eating more or faster.
✗ On va `mettre les bouchées doubles` pour notre promenade dans le parc. → ✓ On va profiter tranquillement de notre promenade dans le parc.
✗ We're going to put in double effort for our walk in the park. → ✓ We're going to enjoy our walk in the park peacefully.
This phrase implies urgency and hard work, unsuitable for relaxed activities.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'mettre'.
Nous sommes en retard, nous ________ les bouchées doubles.
The subject is 'nous', so the verb 'mettre' must be conjugated as 'mettons'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct sentence:
The correct verb is 'mettre' and the phrase is always plural: 'les bouchées doubles'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.
In which situation would you say 'Je dois mettre les bouchées doubles'?
The phrase is used when you need to work harder/faster to meet a deadline.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: On ne va jamais finir avant 17h ! B: Si, si on ________________.
The phrase 'mettre les bouchées doubles' fits the context of finishing a task on time.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNous sommes en retard, nous ________ les bouchées doubles.
The subject is 'nous', so the verb 'mettre' must be conjugated as 'mettons'.
Choose the correct sentence:
The correct verb is 'mettre' and the phrase is always plural: 'les bouchées doubles'.
In which situation would you say 'Je dois mettre les bouchées doubles'?
The phrase is used when you need to work harder/faster to meet a deadline.
A: On ne va jamais finir avant 17h ! B: Si, si on ________________.
The phrase 'mettre les bouchées doubles' fits the context of finishing a task on time.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your friends. It's not slang, but it's not overly poetic either.
Yes! If you are running faster to finish a race, you can say you are putting in 'les bouchées doubles.'
Not literally. It just means working 'much' harder or faster. It's an exaggeration.
Une bouchée. But remember, the idiom is always plural.
Not really. You wouldn't usually say 'Je ne mets pas les bouchées doubles' unless you are specifically refusing to work harder.
Actually, yes! It's a common joke or exaggeration to say 'triples' or even 'quadruples' to mean working even *more* intensely.
Yes, it's common in internal emails or project updates to signal urgency.
It sounds exactly like the English word 'double' but with a French 'ou' sound (like 'soup') and a soft 'l' at the end.
Not at all. It is used daily in modern France.
Only if you are talking about the *speed* of cooking, not the amount of food you are making.
Related Phrases
Mettre le turbo
synonymTo speed up significantly.
Passer à la vitesse supérieure
similarTo move to a higher level of intensity.
Avoir du pain sur la planche
builds onTo have a lot of work to do.
Travailler d'arrache-pied
synonymTo work relentlessly.
