In 15 Seconds
- Used when you are sweating a lot from heat or stress.
- Translates to 'sweating in big drops'—very visual and descriptive.
- Common in casual conversation to show you were under pressure.
Meaning
Actually, this phrase doesn't mean goosebumps—it means you are sweating profusely! It describes that moment when you're so nervous, hot, or working so hard that huge drops of sweat are rolling down your face.
Key Examples
3 of 6Describing a heatwave to a friend
Avec cette canicule, je sue à grosses gouttes dès que je sors.
With this heatwave, I'm sweating buckets as soon as I go outside.
Talking about a stressful job interview
L'entretien était tellement dur que j'en suais à grosses gouttes.
The interview was so hard that I was sweating bullets.
After a heavy gym session
Regarde-moi, je sue à grosses gouttes après ce cours de cardio !
Look at me, I'm dripping with sweat after this cardio class!
Cultural Background
In France, talking about sweating is common during 'la canicule' (heatwaves), which have become more frequent. It's a social bonding topic. Quebecers use this phrase similarly, but might also use 'suer à grosses gouttes' to describe the intense effort of shoveling snow in late winter when it gets heavy. In many Francophone African countries, where heat is a daily reality, this phrase is used literally and frequently without the dramatic connotation it might have in Europe. Classical French authors use this to show a character's loss of 'contenance' (composure). It's a key physical signifier of internal turmoil.
Use for Drama
If you want to sound more like a native, use this instead of 'j'ai très chaud'. It's much more evocative.
Always Plural
Never say 'à grosse goutte'. It sounds very wrong to a native ear.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when you are sweating a lot from heat or stress.
- Translates to 'sweating in big drops'—very visual and descriptive.
- Common in casual conversation to show you were under pressure.
What It Means
Imagine you are running for a bus in July. Or maybe you are presenting to your boss. Your forehead is wet. Big, heavy droplets are forming. That is suer à grosses gouttes. It is the physical manifestation of intense effort or extreme stress. It is much more vivid than just saying you are hot. It paints a picture of someone struggling or being under high pressure.
How To Use It
You use this like a standard verb phrase. You conjugate suer (to sweat) based on who is doing the sweating. You can use it literally for physical heat. You can also use it figuratively for mental stress. It is a great way to add drama to your storytelling. Use it when you want people to feel the tension you felt.
When To Use It
Use it when the air conditioning breaks in a crowded metro. Use it during a difficult exam that you didn't study for. It is perfect for describing a workout that absolutely destroyed you. If you are watching a high-stakes penalty kick in football, the fans are likely suant à grosses gouttes. It fits perfectly in casual stories with friends or family.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in a very formal medical report. It is a bit too descriptive and informal for a doctor's note. Do not use it if you are just slightly warm. It implies a significant amount of liquid! Also, be careful using it to describe someone else's appearance in a rude way. It can sound a bit mocking if you point it out to a stranger.
Cultural Background
French culture values 'sang-froid' or keeping your cool. Showing that you are suant à grosses gouttes suggests a loss of composure. Historically, it relates to the hard physical labor of the peasantry. Today, it is more often associated with the 'hot seat' in modern life. It is a very common visual in French comics (BDs) where characters have giant blue drops flying off their heads.
Common Variations
You might hear être en nage, which means 'to be swimming' in sweat. Another one is suer sang et eau, meaning 'to sweat blood and water.' That one is for even more extreme, painful effort. If you want to be very informal, you can use the verb transpirer. But suer à grosses gouttes remains the classic, most evocative choice for daily life.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-to-informal expression. It is highly descriptive and best used in spoken French or informal writing like texts and emails to friends.
Use for Drama
If you want to sound more like a native, use this instead of 'j'ai très chaud'. It's much more evocative.
Always Plural
Never say 'à grosse goutte'. It sounds very wrong to a native ear.
The 'Tell'
In a professional context, use this to describe someone else's nervousness to show you noticed their 'tell'.
Examples
6Avec cette canicule, je sue à grosses gouttes dès que je sors.
With this heatwave, I'm sweating buckets as soon as I go outside.
Here it is used literally for weather.
L'entretien était tellement dur que j'en suais à grosses gouttes.
The interview was so hard that I was sweating bullets.
Shows the figurative use for anxiety.
Regarde-moi, je sue à grosses gouttes après ce cours de cardio !
Look at me, I'm dripping with sweat after this cardio class!
Focuses on physical exertion.
Le train est en retard et j'ai un RDV, je sue à grosses gouttes là.
The train is late and I have an appointment, I'm sweating it out right now.
Perfect for expressing 'stress-sweat' via text.
Le héros devait désamorcer la bombe, il suait à grosses gouttes.
The hero had to defuse the bomb; he was sweating profusely.
Sets a dramatic scene.
Détends-toi ! Tu sues déjà à grosses gouttes et elle n'est même pas là.
Relax! You're already sweating buckets and she's not even here yet.
Friendly teasing about being nervous.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Pendant son entretien d'embauche, Marc _______ à grosses gouttes.
Marc is the third person singular, so the verb 'suer' in the imparfait is 'suait'.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'suer à grosses gouttes'?
Quand utiliseriez-vous cette expression ?
The phrase describes profuse sweating due to effort and heat.
Match the French phrase with its English equivalent.
Associez les expressions.
These are the most common idiomatic translations.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Pourquoi tu t'essuies le front ? B: Parce que je ______ à grosses gouttes avec cette canicule !
The context of 'wiping the forehead' and 'heatwave' requires the verb 'suer'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When do we 'suer à grosses gouttes'?
Physical
- • Sports
- • Heatwave
- • Manual Labor
Emotional
- • Interviews
- • Exams
- • Lying
Practice Bank
4 exercisesPendant son entretien d'embauche, Marc _______ à grosses gouttes.
Marc is the third person singular, so the verb 'suer' in the imparfait is 'suait'.
Quand utiliseriez-vous cette expression ?
The phrase describes profuse sweating due to effort and heat.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the most common idiomatic translations.
A: Pourquoi tu t'essuies le front ? B: Parce que je ______ à grosses gouttes avec cette canicule !
The context of 'wiping the forehead' and 'heatwave' requires the verb 'suer'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, but 'transpirer' is slightly more polite/clinical. 'Suer' is very common and not offensive.
Yes, you can say 'suer à grosses gouttes de peur' (to sweat buckets from fear).
It is always 'à grosses gouttes'.
'Sang et eau' is much more intense and usually refers to long-term hard work or suffering.
Yes, it is a very common and perfectly correct variation.
No, that would be 'pleurer à chaudes larmes'.
Yes, to describe high-pressure situations or difficult negotiations.
Yes, 'suer comme un porc' (to sweat like a pig), but it's quite vulgar.
Usually no, as most animals don't sweat the same way humans do, but you could use it metaphorically.
G-O-U-T-T-E-S. Don't forget the double 't'!
Related Phrases
suer sang et eau
similarTo work extremely hard or suffer greatly.
être en nage
synonymTo be covered in sweat.
avoir la chair de poule
contrastTo have goosebumps.
garder son sang-froid
contrastTo keep one's cool.
