FrenchPrendre le train en marche
Meaning: To join opportunely in an action or endeavor already underway.
Literally: To take the train in motion
Example: “L'entreprise a pris le train en marche en lançant enfin sa propre application.” — The company jumped on the bandwagon by finally launching its own app.
English equivalent: To jump on the bandwagon
Equivalents in other languages
English: To jump on the bandwagon
Origin: Jumping onto a train that has already left the station is late and risky, but it gets you on board. The phrase, which can only date from the railway age, describes joining a project or movement once it is already under way, usually to share in its success and often with a hint of opportunism. English uses a different vehicle for the same idea: "jump on the bandwagon."
More French idioms
- Être de mauvais poil To be in a bad mood or irritable disposition.
- Casser le nez à coups d’encensoir To offer someone clumsy, exaggerated, and insincere flattery to their face.
- Se casser la figure To fall to the ground; to have an accident or suffer a collapse.
- Péter la balloune (Quebec French) To cause deep disappointment; to shatter someone's illusions or hopes.
- Remuer ciel et terre To exert all possible effort and use every available means to achieve a goal.
- Joindre le geste à la parole To back up what you say with action; to keep your promises.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Ne fais pas à autrui ce que tu ne voudrais pas qu'on te fasse Treat others as you would want to be treated.
- La beauté ne se mange pas en salade Good looks alone don't put food on the table or make a good partner.
- On ne change pas une équipe qui gagne Don't change something that's working.
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