French Expression: Se faire poser un lapin

Summary

A charmingly French way to say "it's freezing cold" — literally about duck's cold! This weather expression combines animals with temperature in typical French style and is perfect for intermediate learners who want to sound natural when complaining about the weather.

Il fait un froid de canard

Extract / Intro Description

If you hear someone in France saying "it's a duck's cold," don't wonder about waterfowl thermometers — they're simply describing freezing weather. This popular expression perfectly captures that bone-chilling cold with French flair, showing how the language can make even weather complaints sound poetic.

Difficulty & Formality

Difficulty

45% – Intermediate

Formality

40% – Casual, quite informal

Usage Context

Winter weather complaints, seasonal discussions

Meaning

Literal translation:

It's a duck's cold

Real meaning:

It's freezing cold / it's bitterly cold

This expression captures that penetrating cold that makes you want to bundle up and stay indoors, just like ducks might feel during harsh winter weather.

Example

French:

N'oublie pas ton manteau, il fait un froid de canard dehors !

English:

Don't forget your coat, it's freezing cold outside!

Origin / Fun Fact

This expression dates back to hunting traditions when autumn and winter brought the coldest weather — perfect duck hunting season. When temperatures dropped dramatically, ducks would venture out more often searching for food, making them easier targets for hunters. The extreme cold became associated with duck hunting, and "froid de canard" became the French way to describe bitter cold weather.

Variations Based on Formality

Phrase
Meaning
Formality Level

On se pèle le cul / les miches

We're freezing our asses off

Very informal / modern slang

Il fait un froid de canard

It's freezing cold

Casual / common use

Il fait très froid

It's very cold

Semi-formal / polite

Your Turn

What's the coldest weather you've ever experienced? Do you have a colorful way to describe freezing temperatures in your language?

Share your cold weather stories in the comments below — we'd love to hear how you survive the "froid de canard"!

Explore Our Free E-Books

Find this expression and many more inside the free e-books here.

0 CommentsClose Comments

Leave a comment

Learn One New Expression per day.
Subscribe to the Newsletter.

Floating Widgets
Follow Us on Instagram

French Expressions © Copyright 2025 – Privacy Policy

Newsletter Sign-up

Learn and discover new French expressions in a fun way

Your data is protected. We do not sell or share your information.