toujours tout

Using this is a breeze because it usually sits right after the verb. If you’re talking about a person, you’ll often pair it with verbs like vouloir (to want), savoir (to know), or faire (to do). For example, Il veut toujours tout (He always wants everything). Notice how toujours and tout stick together like glue. You don't need fancy grammar here. Just drop it in when you want to emphasize that someone is being a bit 'extra.' It works perfectly in short, snappy sentences. If you’re texting, you can even use it as a standalone reaction to a greedy request.

This is your go-to phrase for lighthearted complaining. Use it at a restaurant when your partner can't decide and wants the whole menu. Use it at work when a boss asks for a 50-page report by tomorrow morning. It’s great for family dinners when your sibling takes the last piece of bread after already eating three. It’s also used to describe those 'overachievers' who need to know every detail of a project. It captures that feeling of 'enough is never enough.' It’s very common in daily French life because, let’s be honest, we all know someone who fits this description.

Avoid using this in very formal, legal, or academic writing. It’s a bit too conversational and generalized for a contract or a thesis. Also, be careful with your tone. If you say it with a smile, it’s a joke. If you say it with a frown, it can sound quite accusatory. Don't use it if someone is actually being reasonable. If they just want one thing, calling it toujours tout makes you look like the dramatic one! It’s an exaggeration, so save it for moments that actually feel excessive.

French culture has a complex relationship with 'the middle ground.' There is a deep appreciation for la mesure (moderation), but there is also a famous streak of being a râleur (a complainer). Using toujours tout is a classic way for a French person to vent a little bit of frustration about someone else's lack of moderation. It reflects a social value where taking 'everything' is seen as slightly uncouth. It’s also a phrase that pops up in French pop songs and movies to describe the 'spoiled' character or the ambitious hero who risks it all.

You might hear people add a little more spice to it. Il veut toujours tout, tout de suite means 'He always wants everything, right now.' This adds a layer of impatience. Another common one is vouloir le beurre et l'argent du beurre. This is the French version of 'having your cake and eating it too.' If someone is being really intense, you might hear il lui faut toujours tout. This implies that for them, having everything is a necessity, not just a want. These variations all circle back to the same idea: some people just don't know when to stop!