1. Front line
   Average grade
2. Advantage granted
   Vintage garden

Originally "avant-garde" was a military term for ‘vanguard,’ the first guard on the front line. In French and in English, it is used especially in the arts, meaning "fashion forward."

1. The creamiest of them all
   The dreamiest of them all
2. The ultimate in sophistication and style
   The way to order cream for your coffee

"Cream of the cream" is a synonym for the ultimate. It is excellence described in a sophisticated and classic style.

1. I'm impressed with your dog, Lou
   A feeling of deep goo
2. A feeling of having already seen or experienced
   An impression that you are dependent on me.

"Déjà Vu" is an expression derived from the French, meaning "already seen." When it occurs, it seems to spark our memory of a place we have already been, a person we have already seen, or an act we have already done.

1. I'm certain Jeanie said "whoa."
   I'm certain Jennie won't come.
2. A certain, I don't know what
   I'm certain. Don't ask again.

The English translation of this French phase is "A certain I don't know what." This phrase is used to describe an indefinable character, quality, or personality trait.

1. Numbers right
   New vote, right?
2. Newly rich
   Never rich

"Newly rich" is an insult. It said about a person who has money but has not developed the manners expected of wealthy people. That person is new to having money and does not know how to act appropriately.

1. Sacred bird
   Sacred bear
2. Holy blue!
   Holy cow!

The literal translation is "holy blue," which refers to the color associated with the Virgin Mary. However, this phrase is used as a general expression of shock, as in, "Oh my gosh!"

1. Feat of strength
   Forceful tour
2. An energetic route
   An energized tour

The literal translation is a "feat of strength." However, in today's English it means a masterly stroke or amazing skill. It is usually used to describe athletic prowess.

1. Trekking up the lane
   Tricking the eye
2. Tricking the lover
   Tromping a leaf

The literal French definition is "trick the eye." This is an art technique involving intense realism in order to create the illusion that the depicted objects are real rather than paintings.

1. Face to face
   Place to place
2. Vista to vista
   Visitor to visitor

The literal translation from French is "face to face." It refers to a position facing another. However, in today's vocabulary it is used as a type of similarity or comparison, such as "in relation to."

1. Teeth to teeth
   Very brittle
2. Head to head
   Long in the tooth

The literal translation of this French phrase is "head-to-head." Into today's English usage, it means a private meeting between two people.

1. Life is the difference.
   Long live the difference.
2. Revive the difference.
   Vibrations of difference

In French, it refers to a positive attitude about the difference between men and women. Literally, "Long live the difference (between male and female)."

1. Know-how
   Savor the fare.
2. Savor the fairy.
   Savory farrow

The literal French definition is know-how , such as in having social grace. To further elaborate, it's the instinctive ability to know how to deal with any situation that arises.

1. Sandy frogs
   Without frogs
2. Cold blood
   Sanguine frogs

The literal translation of this French phrase is "cold blood." It is used to convey a coolness or indifference in a person.

1. Please respond.
   Response required
2. Return the message.
   Return to sender.

RSVP is an abbreviation for "Répondez, s'il vous plaît.". The literal translation of this French phrase is "Please respond (to my message)." Today it is used mainly on invitations in order to get a response.

1. Determined raisin
   Reason with destiny
2. Reason for being
   Double raisins

The literal translation of this French phrase is "reason for being." In other words, it's the thing that is central to our existence, such as family, art, financial success, etc.

1. Cinematic version
   Very similar to the cinema
2. Cinema truth
   Cinnamon version

The literal translation of this French phrase is "Cinema truth." In other words, a form of film characterized by realistic, typically documentary motion pictures, that avoid artificiality and artistic effect.

1. Quell the horror
   Horrendous quail
2. What a horrible thing.
   Horrendously quick

In English, this phrase means, "What a horrible thing." This is frequently said sarcastically when the "horror" is trivial, such as in a broken fingernail, or getting a sandwich with lettuce on it when you didn't want lettuce.

1. Please resist
   Resist this piece of pie.​
2. The best part
   Resistance is best.

The literal translation of the French phrase, "pièce de résistance," is "the best part." It is used in French to express the best feature of something, especially of a meal. However, in the English language, it is frequently used as something that cannot be resisted.

1. Gorilla's name
   War name
2. Guru's name
   Gertrude's name

The literal translation of the French phrase, "nom de guerre," is "war name." This is a name assumed by individuals in a military group or in espionage to conceal their true identity.

1. Oblige this noble person.
   Nobility writes a document.
2. An oath that excludes nobility
   Noble rank entails responsibility.

The translation of the French phrase, "noblesse oblige," is "noble rank entails responsibility." It mean there is a moral and management responsibility that comes with power.

1. Celebration
   Fat Tuesday
2. Lent
   Ash Wednesday

The literal translation of the French phrase, "Mardi Gras," is "Fat Tuesday." This is the last day of Carnival and the day before the Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday. It is a celebratory day.

1. Does it not pass?
   Is it not enough?
2. Is it not so?
   Shall we let them pass?

The literal translation of the French phrase, "N'est-ce pas?" is "Is it not so?" This is usually heard at the end of a phrase like, It is a beautiful day, N'est-ce pas (nez pah)?

1. Let people do as they think best.
   Lassie and her cart
2. Let's be lazy.
   Let's enjoy the fair.

"Laissez-faire" is usually used in reference to governing principles, specifically ones in which the government does not interfere with the rights of individuals. Literally, it is "let (people) do (as they think best)." A similar phrase in English is "Let it be."

1. Accomplished fact
   Fate of the accomplished ones
2. A complicated fate
   A completed fate

The literal translation into English of this French phrase is "a fact realized or accomplished." Such as an action is completed before those affected by it are in a position to question or reverse it. In English it's similar to "a done deal."

1. Corpses and spirits
   Spirits from the ground
2. Spirits from the sky
   Spirit of the corps

Literally, "spirit of the corps" refers to the common spirit among the members of a group, especially a military unit, which inspires enthusiasm, devotion, and strong regard for the honor of the group. In English, it can refer to the moral of the troops.

1. New movie
   Not seen movie
2. Dark movie
   Nasty movie

The literal translation into English of this French phrase is "dark film." Film noir is a bleak cinematographic style. It usually has a dark story line and is visually dark and foreboding.

1. The fox passed by
   False step
2. Pass the fan
   Fake pass

A "Faux pas" is a social blunder, causing embarrassment or marring of a reputation. The literal translation into English of this French phrase is "false step."

1. Feline cat
   Feminine form
2. Fatal woman
   Cat woman

A "Femme fatale" is an attractive and seductive woman, especially one who will ultimately bring disaster to the man who becomes involved with her. Another way to describe this person in English is "trouble."

1. Hot coffee
   High sewing
2. Hot country
   Hot county

Haute couture means "High sewing." It is a term describing expensive, trend-setting, high-fashion clothes. Haute couture is also the collective name for the leading dressmakers and designers.

1. Double meaning
   Enter twice
2. Enter through two doors
   Doubting your thoughts

A "Double entendre" is word or phrase that has a double meaning - one of the meanings is often vulgar or risque in nature. It can also mean ambiguity or innuendo.

1. A graceful corpse
   A blow of mercy
2. A gracious host
   Keep the grace

The literal translation into English of this French phrase is a "blow of mercy" or "stroke of grace." Originally, it was a blow by which one who is condemned or mortally wounded is '"put out of his misery." However, today we use it as a finishing stroke, one that settles or puts an end to something, such as an argument.

1. Eat with troops
   Military food
2. Overthrow of a government​
   Eat eggs from a chicken coop

A "Coup d'état" is an abrupt overthrow of a government through unconstitutional means, possibly by force, or peaceful occupation. In English, it is generally referred to as a coup.

1. Terrible elephant
   Terrible child
2. Ferocious elephant
   Baby-stealing elephant

The literal translation into English of this French phrase is a "terrible child." It is sometimes used to describe unruly children, but more commonly, it is used to describe adult behavior. For example, in English, you might call an adult a "big baby."

1. In strictness
   Rigged for work
2. Required delivery
   Den of rigs

The literal translation into English of this French phrase is a "In strictness." It is something obligatory, expected, required by etiquette or current fashion

1. A famous case
   A reason to celebrate
2. Celebrate cautiously
   Because we need cake

The literal translation of "Cause célèbre" into English is a "famous case." Full disclosure: this is an English invention rarely used in France. However. most people think of it as a French phrase. It refers to an issue arousing widespread controversy or debate.