How to Say ‘To go down well / to make quite an impression’ in French
Faire son petit effet
fehr sohn puh-tee eh-FEH
[fehr sohn puh-tee eh-FEH]
💬 Usage Tip: Son changes with the person: ça fait son petit effet, tu fais ton petit effet. The petit adds a knowing, ironic touch.
Phrase Breakdown
Faire son
fehr sohn
To make one's
'Son' is a possessive with a nasal vowel. Say 'fèr son'.
Faire son lit.
To make one's bed.
Words in this phrase
Faire
[fehr]
to do; to make
Common infinitive meaning 'to do' or 'to make.' It is also used in many expressions.
Il faut faire attention en classe.
You have to pay attention in class.
son
[sohn]
its / one's
Possessive before masculine noun, here 'its'.
Le chien mange son repas.
The dog eats its meal.
petit effet
puh-tee eh-FEH
little effect / impression
Make the liaison: 'peu-ti-té-fè'. The whole idiom means 'to make quite an impression'.
Sa robe a fait son petit effet.
Her dress made quite an impression.
Words in this phrase
petit
[puh-tee]
little
Describes something small in size.
Un petit garçon est venu.
A little boy came.
effet
[eh-FEH]
effect
Impression or impact; masculine noun.
Ta robe fait de l'effet.
Your dress makes an impression.
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