IdiomBody & SensesFrench

Haut les cœurs !

Meaning: Take courage; lift your spirits.

Literally: Up with the hearts!

Example: “Il reste dix kilomètres jusqu'au refuge : haut les cœurs !” — Ten more kilometers to the hut: chin up, everyone!

English equivalent: Keep your chin up

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: A direct translation of the liturgical Sursum corda, the celebrant's call at the start of the Eucharistic prayer. It moved from the Mass to military and sporting exhortation without changing its shape.

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 →