FrenchAvoir la bougeotte
Meaning: To be restless; unable to stay put, always wanting to travel or move somewhere new.
Literally: To have the fidgets
Example: “Depuis sa retraite, ma tante a la bougeotte : elle repart en voyage tous les deux mois.” — Since she retired, my aunt can't stay put: she goes off traveling again every two months.
English equivalent: To have itchy feet
Equivalents in other languages
Filipino: Makati ang paa Literally: Itchy feet
English: have itchy feet
Origin: From bougeotte, built on bouger (to move) with the diminutive suffix -otte. Until the late 19th century the word named the nesting hole of a dovecote; in 1906 the novelist Jules Claretie recast it as a "new illness", seasonal and spreading through Parisian society with the first fine days of spring — the urge to leave town. Today it covers both fidgety restlessness and the itch to travel.
More French idioms
- Montrer les dents Displaying aggression, defiance, or readiness to fight.
- Avoir les yeux plus gros que le ventre Taking more food than one can actually eat; wanting too much.
- Être un ours Being unfriendly, grumpy, and difficult to approach socially.
- Avoir une mémoire d'éléphant Having exceptional ability to remember details over time.
- Avoir une langue de vipère Speaking maliciously, spreading rumors, or being verbally cruel.
- Faire ses griffes Practicing or preparing oneself for a challenging task or confrontation.
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- À chacun son goût Everyone has their own preferences, and that's fine.
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