10 useful french expressions using the verb tenir

IT APPEARS IN ALL SORTS OF SITUATIONS - JUST LIKE ITS ENGLISH EQUIVALENT The word tenir, meaning ‘to hold’ is one of the most common verbs in the French language, and as such is often used

in unusual ways in everyday expressions. We look at 10 of the most useful ways you can use it to improve your French. The English equivalent of tenir, ‘to hold’, is a particularly difficult

verb for people learning English. It appears in all sorts of phrasal verbs and expressions, from ‘hold on’, ‘hold in’, ‘hold out for’, to ‘hold your horses’. Similarly, the French verb

appears in many different combinations and contexts. Read more: Try these compliments in French to charm like a native TENIR BON - TO HOLD STRONG/KEEP GOING  This phrasal verb is used when 

things get tough. For example, you might use this phrase in a work setting to describe your team getting on with the job at hand despite setbacks.  You can also use it to ask if someone is

ok with a difficult situation: tu tiens bon? - ‘are you ok?’ For example: On tient bon dans l'équipe même quand il y a des problèmes au niveau du management. - ‘Our team keeps going

even when there are problems regarding management.’ TENIR LE COUP - TO COPE/WEATHER THE STORM  This phrasal verb is one to use in situations where people are facing sadness or difficulties

in their lives.  It can mean to cope or, more figuratively, to weather the storm, so if you ask someone Tu tiens le coup ? it means ‘are you coping or how are you holding up?’ TENIR TÊTE À -

TO GO AGAINST SOMEONE/STAND UP TO SOMEONE When talking about going up against someone or standing up to someone, you can employ tenir tête à quelqu’un.  For example: Le Front Populaire veut

tenir tête à l’extrême droite dans les élections - ‘The Front Populaire wants to go up against the far right in the elections’ SE TENIR À CARREAU - WATCH YOUR STEP, KEEP IN LINE, DO YOUR

DUTY  This expression has its origins in military parlance form the Middle Ages, and refers to a carreau - or crossbow bolt. “It is a very evocative image,” medievalist Kentigwern Jaouen

told TF1.“Crossbows were very powerful and precise weapons and the slightest miscalculation could mean being shot. So, when ordered to se tenir à carreau people knew they had to keep still

and do what they were told.” TENIR LA CHANDELLE - TO BE THE THIRD WHEEL  Maybe something you would rather not be described as doing - tenir la chandelle means to play gooseberry or to be a

third wheel. A chandelle is a long thin candle. Historically, maids or servants would hold the candle but turn their back to their master and mistress, hence the expression tenir la

chandelle.  Read more: ‘How to think like a French person and speak better French’ TENIR À QUELQU'UN - TO VALUE SOMEONE In older English we would say to ‘hold someone dear’, which tenir

à quelqu'un means. For example Je tiens à toi - ‘I care about you’ Or: C’est la bague de ma mère, j’y tiens beaucoup - ‘It’s my mother’s ring, it means a lot to me’ Read more: Tata,

frangin, papounet: Cute French names for family members TIENS, TIENS - WELL, WELL An expression that makes no sense literally, but is commonly used to evoke surprise. Note that a single

tiens! means 'hey!' rather than 'hold' as in English. SE TENIR DEVANT - TO STAND BEFORE This is a little grandiloquent and commonly heard in the mouth of politicians

asking for people's vote. Je me tiens devant vous en tant que Premier Ministre - ‘I stand before you as Prime Minister’ SE TENIR AU COURANT DE QUELQUE CHOSE - ‘TO KEEP UP TO DATE/IN THE

LOOP ABOUT SOMETHING’ This is a very useful phrase in everyday life, if you want someone to keep you updated on an ongoing situation, for example.  Tiens-moi au au courant s’il te plaît -

‘Keep me posted please’ It can also be used with the idea of keeping yourself up to date with the news or the goings on.  Je me tiens au courant des actualités - ‘I stay up to date with the

news NE TENIR QU’À UN FIL - TO HANG BY A THREAD This can refer to anything precarious Similarly, the fil, or thread could also be a cheveu or hair.