Learning French
When and why do we say on va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures?
Find out what this amusing French expression means so you can start to use it in your conversations
Try as hard as you like but you will never find noon at 14:00
aomas/Shutterstock
France has many colourful and fun expressions. The phrase on va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures can be particularly perplexing when you first hear it said out loud.
We look at how and when it is used to describe a situation that has become too complicated.
What is the meaning of on va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures?
Literal translation: let’s not look for noon at two o’clock
The closest English equivalent to this French expression is 'let’s not make a mountain out of a molehill’, or 'let's not do things the hard way'.
It refers to over-complicating something simple.
What are the origins?
The expression used to be chercher midi à onze heures (looking for noon at 11 o’clock) but it switched to its current form in the 17th Century.
When do you say it?
Say this when trying to find a solution to an overly complicated situation.
For example, if you are trying to organise a day out with friends and it is getting too complicated, someone would say:
- Bon, on va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures, allons boire un verre - Right, let’s not make things too complicated, let’s grab a drink.
To whom do you say it?
It is commonly used across France and it is slightly informal, although not rude in any way. You might want to avoid using it in important meetings or with your boss.
It is an oral expression, which is why there is no ‘ne’ in the sentence. It should be written on ne va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures to be grammatically correct, but that is not how French people speak in everyday situations.
Do you have a favourite amusing French expression? Let us know at feedback@connexionfrance.com
