In 15 Seconds
- To be the favorite or front-runner in a competition.
- Derived from horse racing's inside track advantage.
- Used when someone is likely to win or be chosen.
Meaning
It means to be in the lead or the favorite to win something. It is like saying you are the front-runner in a race or a competition.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing a job opening
C'est Julie qui tient la corde pour le poste de directrice.
Julie is the front-runner for the director position.
Predicting a sports match
L'équipe de France tient la corde pour la finale.
The French team is the favorite for the final.
Choosing a vacation spot
Pour nos vacances, la Grèce tient toujours la corde.
For our vacation, Greece is still the top choice.
Cultural Background
Le PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain) est une institution en France. On trouve ces points de paris dans de nombreux cafés. Cela explique pourquoi les expressions liées aux courses de chevaux sont si populaires. Au Québec, bien que l'expression soit comprise, on utilise aussi beaucoup d'anglicismes sportifs comme 'être le front-runner'. En Belgique, le cyclisme est roi. L'expression est très utilisée pour décrire la position d'un coureur dans un peloton ou un virage serré. Les journalistes politiques français adorent les métaphores sportives. 'Tenir la corde' est un classique des titres de journaux comme Le Monde ou Libération.
Use in Business
Use this during meetings to sound like a native professional when discussing candidates or projects.
Gender Matters
Always say 'LA' corde. Saying 'le' corde will immediately mark you as a beginner.
In 15 Seconds
- To be the favorite or front-runner in a competition.
- Derived from horse racing's inside track advantage.
- Used when someone is likely to win or be chosen.
What It Means
Imagine you are watching a horse race or a track event. The person on the inside lane has the shortest path to the finish line. In French, that inside lane is called the 'corde'. So, if you are 'holding the rope', you have the best position. You are the favorite to win. It is not just about being happy. It is about being the most likely person to succeed.
How To Use It
You use tenir la corde when someone is ahead in a process. Use it with the verb être or just as a statement of status. It works perfectly for job interviews or sports. If three people apply for a job and one is clearly better, they tiennent la corde. It describes a position of strength. Think of it as being the 'top seed'.
When To Use It
Use this in professional settings when discussing candidates. It is great for sports talk with friends at a bar. Use it when speculating about who will win an award. It fits well in political discussions too. If you are texting a friend about a promotion, this phrase adds flavor. It shows you understand the competitive landscape.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for purely emotional happiness. If you are just glad it is sunny, this is not the phrase. It requires a context of competition or selection. Avoid using it in very tragic or solemn situations. It is a bit too 'sporty' for a funeral or a serious breakup. Also, do not use it if there is no clear 'finish line' involved.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the world of horse racing in the 19th century. The 'rope' was the physical barrier marking the inside of the track. Jockeys fought hard to stay close to that rope to save distance. Today, the rope is usually just a painted line. But the idea of the 'inside track' remains a powerful symbol of advantage in French culture. It reflects the French love for strategy and positioning.
Common Variations
You might hear avoir la corde occasionally, but tenir is much more common. Sometimes people say être en pole position, which is the Formula 1 version. If someone loses their lead, you could say they ont lâché la corde. This means they let the rope go and lost their advantage. It is a very visual way to describe a change in fortune.
Usage Notes
The phrase is versatile but always implies a comparison. It is most frequently used in the third person (`il/elle tient la corde`).
Use in Business
Use this during meetings to sound like a native professional when discussing candidates or projects.
Gender Matters
Always say 'LA' corde. Saying 'le' corde will immediately mark you as a beginner.
Combine with Adverbs
Use 'solidement' or 'largement' to show how strong the lead is: 'Il tient largement la corde.'
The PMU Connection
Mentioning this phrase in a French bar during a sports match is a great way to start a conversation.
Examples
6C'est Julie qui tient la corde pour le poste de directrice.
Julie is the front-runner for the director position.
Shows Julie is the favorite among all candidates.
L'équipe de France tient la corde pour la finale.
The French team is the favorite for the final.
Commonly used in sports journalism.
Pour nos vacances, la Grèce tient toujours la corde.
For our vacation, Greece is still the top choice.
Used here to show a preference among several options.
T'inquiète, je tiens la corde sur ce coup-là !
Don't worry, I'm in the lead on this one!
Casual way to boast about winning.
Le gâteau au chocolat tient la corde devant la salade de fruits.
The chocolate cake is winning over the fruit salad.
Personifies food to show what people prefer.
Le candidat écologiste semble tenir la corde dans les sondages.
The green candidate seems to be leading in the polls.
Standard political commentary usage.
Test Yourself
Complétez la phrase avec la forme correcte du verbe 'tenir'.
Dans les sondages actuels, c'est la candidate écologiste qui _______ la corde.
Le sujet est 'la candidate' (elle), donc la conjugaison est 'tient'.
Quelle est la signification de 'tenir la corde' ?
Si je dis 'Jean tient la corde pour le poste', cela veut dire :
L'expression signifie être le favori ou le mieux placé.
Associez la situation à l'utilisation de l'expression.
Dans quel contexte utiliseriez-vous 'tenir la corde' ?
C'est un contexte de compétition où il y a un favori.
Finissez le dialogue de manière logique.
A: 'Qui va gagner le tournoi selon toi ?' B: 'Je ne sais pas, mais l'équipe de Lyon _______.'
'Tient la corde' exprime le fait d'être le favori pour gagner.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tenir la Corde vs. Avoir la Corde au Cou
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDans les sondages actuels, c'est la candidate écologiste qui _______ la corde.
Le sujet est 'la candidate' (elle), donc la conjugaison est 'tient'.
Si je dis 'Jean tient la corde pour le poste', cela veut dire :
L'expression signifie être le favori ou le mieux placé.
Dans quel contexte utiliseriez-vous 'tenir la corde' ?
C'est un contexte de compétition où il y a un favori.
A: 'Qui va gagner le tournoi selon toi ?' B: 'Je ne sais pas, mais l'équipe de Lyon _______.'
'Tient la corde' exprime le fait d'être le favori pour gagner.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also in a professional email or a business meeting.
Yes, it is most commonly used for a single person or a single project that is the favorite.
'Être premier' means you are currently in the first place. 'Tenir la corde' means you are the most likely to win, even if the race isn't over.
Yes, if you feel you are the favorite for something, you can say it, though it might sound a bit confident!
Yes, it is widely understood in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada.
Yes, there must be at least two options or people for the phrase to make sense.
Yes: 'Il a tenu la corde pendant longtemps avant de perdre.'
No, 'tenir les cordes' is not an idiom and would be taken literally.
The closest is 'to have the inside track' or 'to be the front-runner'.
Yes, for example: 'Cette voiture tient la corde pour le titre de voiture de l'année.'
No, it is a standard idiom, not slang.
Because it refers to the rope that marked the inner edge of a horse racing track.
Related Phrases
être en pole position
synonymTo be in the best starting position.
avoir l'avantage
similarTo have the advantage.
être à la traîne
contrastTo be lagging behind.
lâcher prise
builds onTo let go.
être au coude à coude
similarTo be neck and neck.
