IdiomDaily LifeFrench

Au temps pour moi

Meaning: My mistake.

Literally: As you were, for me

Example: “Ah, la réunion est mardi, pas lundi ? Au temps pour moi.” — Oh, the meeting is on Tuesday, not Monday? My bad.

English equivalent: My bad

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: Au temps! was the command to resume a drill movement from the beginning after an error. The spelling is argued about endlessly, with autant pour moi widespread and defended, and the Académie holding to au temps — one of the most durable disputes in French usage.

More French idioms

Explore another collection: False Friends

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

  • Attendre Actually means 'to wait for'. J'attends le bus = I'm waiting for the bus. For attend an e…
  • Actuel Actually means 'current' or 'present-day'. Actuellement = currently — not 'actually'.
  • Blesser Actually means 'to wound' or 'to injure'. Je suis blessé = I am injured — not blessed.

Browse all false friends →

Keep exploring

Explore all idioms →