You’ve probably heard the expression “l’avoir dans l’os,” but do you know what it really means? In French, this phrase describes those moments when everything goes wrong, and you’re stuck facing failure or disappointment. In short, when things go completely off track…
🔹 Where does it come from?
The expression is a metaphor, suggesting that the problem cuts so deep it reaches the bone (literally “to have it in the bone”). But there’s more: in old slang, “the bone” actually referred to the sacrum… and that’s definitely not the most comfortable place to be! 😅
🔹 Example:
On Orange’s community forum (a French telecommunications provider), a user vents about an unwanted purchase: “J’ai contacté le service client mais à mon avis, je l’ai dans l’os.” (Literally: “I reached out to customer service, but I think I’m screwed.”) This phrase is commonly used to express frustration when facing a situation that seems impossible to fix.
Expressions like “l’avoir dans l’os” make learning French both challenging and fun. They show us that there are so many colorful and vivid ways to express everyday situations.
So, have you ever had it in the bone? Join the conversation on my socials and tell me your worst mishaps! 😆👇
The sources I used to write this post are listed below:
Communauté Orange. Achat contenu multimédia non désiré - remboursement Orange. Forum Orange [online]. 24 March, 2019. Retrieved from : https://communaute.orange.fr/t5/offres-mobile-Orange-et-options/achat-contenu-multim%C3%A9dia-non-d%C3%A9sir%C3%A9-remboursement-orange/td-p/3246690 (02/19/25).
Rey, Alain, et Sophie Chantreau. Os. In Dictionnaire des expressions et locutions, Dictionnaires Le Robert, 2003, p. 662.