avoir les dents qui rayent le parquet
To be terrified
Literalmente: To have the teeth that scratch the parquet floor
Em 15 segundos
- Describes someone who is extremely ambitious or ruthless.
- Comes from the image of teeth scraping the floor.
- Used mostly for career-driven or power-hungry individuals.
Significado
This phrase actually describes someone who is incredibly ambitious or 'hungry' for success. It paints a picture of someone so eager that their teeth are long enough to scrape the floor.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Discussing a competitive colleague
Fais attention à Marc, il a les dents qui rayent le parquet.
Watch out for Marc, he's incredibly ambitious and ruthless.
Talking about a politician on TV
Ce candidat a vraiment les dents qui rayent le parquet.
That candidate is really power-hungry.
Observing a friend's intense career focus
Depuis sa promotion, elle a les dents qui rayent le parquet.
Since her promotion, she's become super ambitious.
Contexto cultural
In France, the 'parquet' floor is a symbol of bourgeois status. Scratching it with your teeth implies that your ambition is so raw it's damaging the refined social order. While understood in Quebec, French Canadians might also use 'être un fonceur' (to be a go-getter) or 'avoir du chien' (to have grit/determination). The phrase is very common in Belgian professional circles, especially in Brussels where the European political scene is full of ambitious individuals. In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, the phrase is used in business, but local metaphors involving 'appetite' or 'strength' are often preferred in casual speech.
Tone Matters
If you say it with a smile, it can be a compliment. If you say it with a frown, it's a criticism of someone's ruthlessness.
Don't use for hunger
Never use this to say you are hungry for food. Use 'J'ai la dalle' (slang) or 'J'ai très faim'.
Em 15 segundos
- Describes someone who is extremely ambitious or ruthless.
- Comes from the image of teeth scraping the floor.
- Used mostly for career-driven or power-hungry individuals.
What It Means
Imagine someone so hungry for power they cannot stand up straight. Their teeth are so long they literally scratch the wooden floor. It describes extreme ambition. It is often used for people who are 'social climbers.' It implies they will do anything to get ahead.
How To Use It
You use it like a regular verb. Just conjugate avoir to match your subject. You can say il a les dents qui rayent le parquet. It usually describes a person's character or current drive. It is a vivid, visual way to call someone 'ruthless.'
When To Use It
Use it when discussing a colleague's promotion. It is perfect for talking about a competitive politician. You can use it for a friend who is working 80 hours a week. It works well in a gossipy setting. It adds a bit of flavor to your descriptions.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a formal job interview. It sounds quite judgmental and informal. Avoid using it to mean 'hungry' for food. It is strictly about professional or social ambition. Do not use it if you want to be polite. It is a bit of a 'backstabbing' comment.
Cultural Background
France has a complicated relationship with overt ambition. In many French circles, being too 'pushy' is seen as rude. The 'parquet' refers to the classic wooden floors in French apartments. It suggests someone is prowling through the halls of power. It became very popular in the 1970s and 80s.
Common Variations
You might hear avoir les dents longues as a shorter version. Both mean the same thing. The 'parquet' version is just more descriptive and intense. Some people say avoir les crocs for being hungry. Do not confuse them! One is for food, the other for power.
Notas de uso
This is an idiomatic expression used in informal to neutral settings. It is conjugated with the verb 'avoir' and is generally used to describe third parties in a critical or observational way.
Tone Matters
If you say it with a smile, it can be a compliment. If you say it with a frown, it's a criticism of someone's ruthlessness.
Don't use for hunger
Never use this to say you are hungry for food. Use 'J'ai la dalle' (slang) or 'J'ai très faim'.
The 'Long Teeth' shortcut
If the full phrase is too long, 'avoir les dents longues' is a perfectly acceptable and common alternative.
Exemplos
6Fais attention à Marc, il a les dents qui rayent le parquet.
Watch out for Marc, he's incredibly ambitious and ruthless.
Used here to warn someone about a colleague's drive.
Ce candidat a vraiment les dents qui rayent le parquet.
That candidate is really power-hungry.
A very common way to describe political figures.
Depuis sa promotion, elle a les dents qui rayent le parquet.
Since her promotion, she's become super ambitious.
Describes a change in someone's attitude.
Laisse-le tomber, il a les dents qui rayent le parquet de toute façon.
Forget him, he's just a social climber anyway.
Short and punchy for a text message.
Le nouveau directeur a les dents qui rayent le parquet, non ?
The new director is quite the go-getter, isn't he?
Using a question to share an observation.
Le méchant dans ce film a vraiment les dents qui rayent le parquet.
The villain in this movie is truly ruthless.
Used to describe a personality trait.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct words.
Depuis qu'il veut devenir directeur, il a les dents qui _______ le parquet.
The verb 'rayer' (to scratch) is the essential part of this idiom.
What does this phrase mean in a professional context?
Si on dit d'un collègue qu'il 'a les dents qui rayent le parquet', cela signifie :
The phrase is a metaphor for high ambition.
Choose the best response to complete the dialogue.
A: 'Tu penses que Sarah va réussir son entretien ?' B: 'Oh oui, elle ________.'
Given the context of succeeding in an interview, the ambition idiom fits best.
Match the person to the description.
Qui a les dents qui rayent le parquet ?
Politicians are classic examples of people with high ambition.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosDepuis qu'il veut devenir directeur, il a les dents qui _______ le parquet.
The verb 'rayer' (to scratch) is the essential part of this idiom.
Si on dit d'un collègue qu'il 'a les dents qui rayent le parquet', cela signifie :
The phrase is a metaphor for high ambition.
A: 'Tu penses que Sarah va réussir son entretien ?' B: 'Oh oui, elle ________.'
Given the context of succeeding in an interview, the ambition idiom fits best.
Qui a les dents qui rayent le parquet ?
Politicians are classic examples of people with high ambition.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
5 perguntasIt's not vulgar, but it is informal and can be critical. It's best used among friends or colleagues you trust.
Yes, but usually in a joking way: 'J'ai les dents qui rayent le parquet aujourd'hui !' (I'm really driven today!).
You could say someone 'n'a aucune ambition' or is 'un dilettante' (someone who does things for fun without serious drive).
Yes, in this specific idiom. You wouldn't say 'carrelage' (tiles) or 'moquette' (carpet).
Not necessarily. It describes their *desire* and *drive* to be successful, not their actual achievement.
Frases relacionadas
avoir les dents longues
similarTo be ambitious.
être un arriviste
synonymTo be a social climber.
manger à tous les râteliers
relatedTo take advantage of every possible source of profit.
avoir un appétit d'ogre
similarTo have a huge appetite (often for power).
