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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'.

Example

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.

Example

Il faut faire attention en classe.

You have to pay attention in class.

son

[sohn]

its / one's

Possessive before masculine noun, here 'its'.

Example

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'.

Example

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.

Example

Un petit garçon est venu.

A little boy came.

effet

[eh-FEH]

effect

Impression or impact; masculine noun.

Example

Ta robe fait de l'effet.

Your dress makes an impression.

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