In 15 Seconds
- Used to hand over the floor to someone else.
- Originates from professional TV and radio broadcasting jargon.
- Perfect for ending presentations or long speeches gracefully.
Meaning
This phrase literally means 'to hand back the antenna.' It is used when a broadcaster or speaker finishes their segment and passes the floor back to the main host or studio.
Key Examples
3 of 6Ending a business presentation
C'était tout pour mon analyse, je vous rends l'antenne.
That was all for my analysis, back to you.
Finishing a long story at a party
Bref, c'est comme ça que j'ai perdu mes clés. Je rends l'antenne !
Anyway, that's how I lost my keys. Over to you guys!
A reporter finishing a live segment
Ici à Lyon, l'ambiance est incroyable. À vous l'antenne, Jean-Pierre.
Here in Lyon, the atmosphere is incredible. Back to you, Jean-Pierre.
Cultural Background
The phrase is iconic due to the 'Journal de 20h'. Anchors like Patrick Poivre d'Arvor made this phrase part of the national vocabulary. In Quebec, the phrase is also used but sometimes competes with 'À vous le studio', which is a more direct translation of the English 'Back to you'. Belgian French (RTBF) uses the phrase identically to France, maintaining a high level of formality in their public broadcasting. In modern French startups, using this phrase is often seen as a 'cool' or 'meta' way to handle meetings, acknowledging the 'show' aspect of business.
Use a name
Always add the name of the person you are returning the floor to: 'Je vous rends l'antenne, [Nom].' It sounds much more natural.
Don't use 'donner'
Saying 'donner l'antenne' is a classic 'Anglicism' or literal error. Stick to 'rendre'.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to hand over the floor to someone else.
- Originates from professional TV and radio broadcasting jargon.
- Perfect for ending presentations or long speeches gracefully.
What It Means
Imagine you are a reporter standing in the rain. You just finished your report on a local festival. You need to stop talking and let the news anchor take over. In French, you say rendre l'antenne. It literally means you are giving the broadcast signal back to the base. It signals that your part is done. It is the ultimate 'over to you' for media professionals.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when you are finishing a presentation. It works perfectly when you want to stop talking. You can say: Je vous rends l'antenne. This implies you are done and someone else should speak. It is a very structured way to end a segment. You do not need complex grammar here. Just use the verb rendre followed by the object l'antenne.
When To Use It
Use it in professional settings like a Zoom call. It adds a touch of professional flair to your exit. Use it when you finish a speech or a podcast recording. It is great for situations where there is a clear 'host.' It makes you sound like a seasoned pro. You can also use it jokingly with friends. If you have been talking too long, say it to stop. It is a lighthearted way to end a long story.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a romantic one-on-one dinner. It sounds too technical and cold. Avoid it in a casual text about your day unless you are being funny. It is not for saying goodbye at a door. Do not use it if there is no 'host' to give the floor back to. It requires a recipient for the 'antenna.' If you are just leaving a room, stick to au revoir.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes straight from the world of French television and radio. France has a very strong tradition of formal broadcasting. Think of the iconic news anchors on TF1 or France 2. They always use this phrase to transition between reporters. It carries the weight of the golden age of TV. It feels very 'Parisian media' and slightly sophisticated. It reflects the French love for structured, clear communication in public spaces.
Common Variations
You might hear à vous l'antenne which means 'the antenna is yours.' Another one is reprendre l'antenne. This is what the main host does when they take control back. Sometimes people just say à vous for short. But rendre l'antenne remains the most classic version. It is the standard 'mic drop' of the French media world.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly effective in professional transitions. Ensure you use the indirect object pronoun 'vous' (e.g., `Je vous rends l'antenne`) to address the person you are handing the floor to.
Use a name
Always add the name of the person you are returning the floor to: 'Je vous rends l'antenne, [Nom].' It sounds much more natural.
Don't use 'donner'
Saying 'donner l'antenne' is a classic 'Anglicism' or literal error. Stick to 'rendre'.
The '20h' Vibe
If you want to sound like a real French person, say it with a slightly lower, more serious voice, like a news anchor.
Examples
6C'était tout pour mon analyse, je vous rends l'antenne.
That was all for my analysis, back to you.
A professional way to hand the meeting back to the manager.
Bref, c'est comme ça que j'ai perdu mes clés. Je rends l'antenne !
Anyway, that's how I lost my keys. Over to you guys!
Used jokingly to admit you've been talking for a while.
Ici à Lyon, l'ambiance est incroyable. À vous l'antenne, Jean-Pierre.
Here in Lyon, the atmosphere is incredible. Back to you, Jean-Pierre.
The classic, literal use in journalism.
Merci de m'avoir écouté, je rends l'antenne à l'organisateur.
Thanks for listening, I'm handing back to the organizer.
Clear transition in a digital workspace.
Désolé pour le long message, je rends l'antenne ! Haha.
Sorry for the long message, I'm signing off now! Haha.
Self-aware humor about being talkative.
Nous verrons la suite demain, je rends l'antenne au délégué.
We will see the rest tomorrow, I'm handing over to the class rep.
Used to transition to administrative tasks.
Test Yourself
Conjugate the verb 'rendre' in the present tense.
Après mon reportage, je vous ______ l'antenne.
The subject is 'je', so the correct conjugation for a regular -re verb is 'rends'.
Choose the most appropriate situation to use this phrase.
Dans quelle situation est-il le plus naturel de dire 'Je vous rends l'antenne' ?
The phrase is used for formal transitions in structured environments like presentations or broadcasts.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Journaliste : 'C'était tout pour aujourd'hui. ______ , Gilles.'
The standard sign-off for a journalist is 'rendre l'antenne'.
Match the idiom with its meaning.
Match the following:
Rendre l'antenne means to finish your segment; Prendre l'antenne means to start it.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAprès mon reportage, je vous ______ l'antenne.
The subject is 'je', so the correct conjugation for a regular -re verb is 'rends'.
Dans quelle situation est-il le plus naturel de dire 'Je vous rends l'antenne' ?
The phrase is used for formal transitions in structured environments like presentations or broadcasts.
Journaliste : 'C'était tout pour aujourd'hui. ______ , Gilles.'
The standard sign-off for a journalist is 'rendre l'antenne'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Rendre l'antenne means to finish your segment; Prendre l'antenne means to start it.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is used every single day on French TV and radio. It has also become popular in digital meetings.
Only as a joke. If you use it seriously at a party, people will think you're acting like a journalist.
The opposite is 'prendre l'antenne', which means to start the broadcast.
Both are correct. Adding 'à quelqu'un' (or using 'vous') makes it more precise.
Because historically, the antenna was the most important part of the transmission equipment.
Yes, but 'rendre l'antenne' is more formal and specific to a 'broadcast' style situation.
No, it is almost exclusively a spoken phrase. In an email, use 'je vous laisse la main'.
Yes, it is standard in Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada (Quebec).
This is called 'déborder' (to go over time), and it usually upsets the producers!
Yes, in this idiom, it is always singular.
Related Phrases
prendre l'antenne
contrastTo start a broadcast or segment.
passer la main
synonymTo pass the responsibility or the floor to someone else.
céder la parole
similarTo yield the floor to another speaker.
couper le sifflet
contrastTo interrupt someone or shut them up.
