“Faire des Pieds et des Mains”: When You Really Want to Achieve Something (with audio)
The French expression "faire des pieds et des mains" is a cool idiom that translates to "go to great lengths" or "pull out all the stops".
You use this phrase when talking about to someone who is making every possible effort to achieve something, possibly in a desperate or urgent manner!
Literally, "faire des pieds et des mains" translates to "to do with feet and hands." It suggests someone who is fully involved, using every available resource and energy to succeed.
In the 17th century, this expression was said as "y aller des pieds et des mains." The current form of the expression dates back to the 19th century and simply illustrates that to give oneself the best chance of success, one doesn't just use their two hands but also their two feet.
In everyday conversation, you use "faire des pieds et des mains" when talking about someone determined to achieve their goal, no matter the obstacles:
"Il a fait des pieds et des mains pour obtenir ce poste."
He did everything in his power to get that job.
"Elle a fait des pieds et des mains pour convaincre ses parents."
She pulled out all the stops to convince her parents.
"Je ferai des pieds et des mains pour que ma fille soit acceptée!"
I will go to great lengths to ensure that my daughter is accepted!
Alternative phrases
Se démener
"Se démener" means to struggle or strive with great effort. It's used for someone working tirelessly to achieve something:
"Elle se démène pour terminer ce projet à temps."
She is working tirelessly to finish this project on time.
"Je me démène pour trouver une solution à ce problème."
I'm doing everything I can to find a solution to this problem.
This is a simpler alternative to "faire des pieds et des mains" but with a similar meaning.
Remuer ciel et terre
This literally means to "move heaven and earth." It’s also used to describe someone who will do anything, no matter how difficult, to achieve a goal.
"Il a remué ciel et terre pour retrouver son chien."
He moved heaven and earth to find his dog.
"Je remuerai ciel et terre pour que justice soit faite."
I will move heaven and earth to ensure justice is served.
This phrase is similar to "faire des pieds et des mains," but with a slightly more dramatic tone. "Remuer ciel et terre" implies a readiness to tackle even the most extreme challenges, whereas "Faire des pieds et des mains" focuses making evert effort.
Se plier en quatre
This means "to bend over backwards", making an extraordinary effort, generally to help or please someone else. It conveys going out of one’s way, possibly at a personal cost, to satisfy someone.
"Elle se plie en quatre pour que ses invités se sentent à l’aise."
She bends over backwards to make her guests feel comfortable.
"L'équipe se plie en quatre pour satisfaire ses clients."
The team bends over backwards to satisfy its customers.
"Se plier en quatre" is similar to "faire des pieds et des mains" in terms of effort and determination. However, "se plier en quatre" typically emphasizes the self-sacrificing aspect of the effort to help or please someone else.
"Faire des pieds et des mains", in contrast, focuses more broadly on using all available means to achieve one's goal, not necessarily involving personal sacrifice for the sake of others.
