If you’ve been learning French for a while, you’ve probably seen the verb “mettre.” It pops up everywhere. You first learn it as “to put,” but then you hear phrases like “mettre la table,” “se mettre à pleurer,” or “mettre du temps” — and suddenly, “to put” doesn’t seem to explain much anymore.

That’s because mettre is one of those magic verbs in French — short, simple, and incredibly flexible. It changes meaning depending on the context, and it’s used in dozens of common idiomatic expressions that French people use daily without even thinking about it.

In this post, we’re going to explore 20 super useful expressions with mettre — from basic to advanced — so you can sound more natural and understand native speakers with ease.

 

What Does “Mettre” Really Mean?

At its core, mettre means to put, to place, or to set.

Here are a few simple examples:

• Mettre un livre sur la table. → To put a book on the table.
• Mettre son manteau. → To put on one’s coat.
• Mettre la clé dans la serrure. → To put the key in the lock.

But once you start combining mettre with different prepositions or reflexive forms, it transforms — and that’s when it gets interesting.

Think of mettre as the French equivalent of English verbs like “get,” “put,” or “set” — versatile, idiomatic, and packed with hidden meanings.

 

Expression #1: Mettre la table

Meaning: To set the table

This one’s straightforward — it’s what you do before a meal.

• “Peux-tu mettre la table, s’il te plaît ?”
  → Can you set the table, please?

👉 Pro tip: The opposite is “débarasser la table” — to clear the table.

 

Expression #2: Mettre les vêtements / Mettre un pull

Meaning: To put on clothes

Instead of porter, which means “to wear,” mettre refers to the action of putting something on.

• “Je mets ma veste.” → I’m putting on my jacket.
• “Mets un pull, il fait froid !” → Put on a sweater, it’s cold!

 

Expression #3: Se mettre à + infinitive

Meaning: To start doing something

This is one of the most useful expressions in French. It means you begin or suddenly start an action.

• “Il s’est mis à pleuvoir.” → It started raining.
• “Elle s’est mise à rire.” → She started laughing.
• “Je vais me mettre à étudier sérieusement.” → I’m going to start studying seriously.

👉 Use it when something begins unexpectedly or with a bit of emotion.

 

Expression #4: Mettre du temps à + infinitive

Meaning: To take time to do something

If something takes effort or duration, this is your phrase.

• “J’ai mis deux heures à finir mes devoirs.” → It took me two hours to finish my homework.
• “Elle met toujours du temps à se préparer.” → She always takes a while to get ready.

👉 Grammar tip: You conjugate mettre normally, but the “à” links it to the verb that follows.

 

Expression #5: Mettre en place

Meaning: To set up / to implement / to put in place

This one is very common in professional or formal contexts, but also works casually.

• “L’entreprise a mis en place une nouvelle stratégie.” → The company implemented a new strategy.
• “On doit mettre en place un plan pour les vacances.” → We need to set up a plan for the holidays.

 

Expression #6: Mettre la main sur…

Meaning: To get hold of / to find / to catch

It literally means “to put your hand on,” but figuratively it means to get something — often something that was hard to find.

• “J’ai enfin mis la main sur mes clés !” → I finally found my keys!
• “La police a mis la main sur le suspect.” → The police caught the suspect.

 

Expression #7: Mettre au courant

Meaning: To inform / to bring up to date

This is essential for daily life or work conversations.

• “Tiens-moi au courant.” → Keep me posted.
• “Je te mets au courant dès que j’ai des nouvelles.” → I’ll let you know as soon as I have news.

👉 This one’s used all the time in French — memorize it.

 

Expression #8: Se mettre en colère

Meaning: To get angry

This reflexive form means someone becomes angry (literally, “puts themselves into anger”).

• “Elle s’est mise en colère quand elle a vu le désordre.” → She got angry when she saw the mess.
• “Ne te mets pas en colère, ce n’est pas grave.” → Don’t get angry, it’s not a big deal.

 

Expression #9: Mettre de l’ordre / Mettre en ordre

Meaning: To tidy up / to put in order

• “Il faut mettre un peu d’ordre dans ta chambre.” → You need to tidy your room.
• “J’aime mettre mes idées en ordre avant de parler.” → I like to organize my thoughts before speaking.

 

Expression #10: Mettre le feu (à quelque chose)

Meaning: To set something on fire (literally) or to liven things up (figuratively)

You can use it literally:

• “Il a mis le feu à la cheminée.” → He lit the fireplace.

Or figuratively:

• “Le DJ a mis le feu à la soirée !” → The DJ set the party on fire (he made it awesome).

👉 Context tells you whether you’re talking about arson or a great night out.

 

Expression #11: Mettre les pieds quelque part

Meaning: To set foot somewhere

• “Je n’ai jamais mis les pieds à Marseille.” → I’ve never set foot in Marseille.
• “Ne remets plus les pieds ici !” → Don’t ever come back here!

It’s often used in strong emotional statements — either wonder or annoyance.

 

Expression #12: Mettre quelqu’un dehors

Meaning: To kick someone out

Literally “to put someone outside.”

• “Il s’est fait mettre dehors du bar.” → He got kicked out of the bar.
• “Si tu continues, je te mets dehors !” → If you keep this up, I’ll throw you out!

This one can be serious or joking depending on tone.

 

Expression #13: Mettre au lit / Se mettre au lit

Meaning: To put (someone) to bed / To go to bed

• “Je mets les enfants au lit.” → I’m putting the kids to bed.
• “Je vais me mettre au lit.” → I’m going to bed.

It’s everyday vocabulary — simple but useful.

 

Expression #14: Mettre au monde

Meaning: To give birth

Beautiful and poetic:

• “Elle a mis au monde une petite fille.” → She gave birth to a little girl.

Literally, “to put into the world.” You’ll hear this one in formal announcements, news articles, or family conversations.

 

Expression #15: Mettre en marche / Mettre en route

Meaning: To start, turn on, or get going

• “Mets la machine à laver en marche.” → Turn on the washing machine.
• “On se met en route ?” → Shall we get going?

Both are about beginning movement or operation — one literal, one more figurative.

 

Expression #16: Mettre à jour

Meaning: To update

Very common in tech and admin contexts.

• “J’ai mis mon profil à jour.” → I updated my profile.
• “Il faut mettre à jour ton téléphone.” → You need to update your phone.

 

Expression #17: Mettre la pression (à quelqu’un)

Meaning: To put pressure on someone

• “Le patron met la pression à toute l’équipe.” → The boss is putting pressure on the whole team.
• “Ne me mets pas la pression !” → Don’t pressure me!

Used in both work and casual contexts.

 

Expression #18: Se mettre d’accord (avec quelqu’un)

Meaning: To come to an agreement / to agree

• “On s’est mis d’accord sur la date.” → We agreed on the date.
• “Ils ne se sont jamais mis d’accord.” → They never agreed.

You’ll hear this everywhere — in meetings, relationships, or even among friends deciding where to eat.

 

Expression #19: Mettre en valeur

Meaning: To highlight / to showcase

Perfect for when you want to talk about showing off something (or someone) in a positive way.

• “Cette robe met tes yeux en valeur.” → This dress brings out your eyes.
• “Le musée met en valeur des artistes locaux.” → The museum highlights local artists.

It’s elegant, slightly formal, and useful in everyday conversation.

 

Expression #20: En mettre plein la vue (à quelqu’un)

Meaning: To impress / to blow someone away

Literally “to put a lot in someone’s eyes” — meaning something that dazzles or amazes.

• “Le feu d’artifice en a mis plein la vue à tout le monde.” → The fireworks amazed everyone.
• “Il veut en mettre plein la vue à ses collègues.” → He wants to impress his coworkers.

This idiom is so French — visual, dramatic, and fun to use.

 

Bonus: Other Handy “Mettre” Phrases You’ll Hear All the Time

Here are a few extra expressions worth remembering:

• Mettre de côté → To put aside (money, time, or ideas).
  “Je mets de l’argent de côté pour mes vacances.”
• Mettre fin à quelque chose → To put an end to something.
  “Ils ont mis fin à leur collaboration.”
• Mettre quelqu’un au défi → To challenge someone.
  “Je te mets au défi de parler français toute la journée !”
• Mettre en cause → To accuse or implicate.
  “Le rapport met en cause le directeur.”
• Mettre en œuvre → To carry out / to implement.
  “Le gouvernement a mis en œuvre un nouveau plan écologique.”

These phrases pop up constantly in the news, workplaces, and daily conversations.

 

How to Master “Mettre” Without Overthinking It

So now you’ve got 20 expressions — but how do you actually remember them?

Here’s a quick strategy that works wonders for French learners:

1. Group them by theme

• Everyday actions: mettre la table, mettre un pull, se mettre au lit
• Emotions / states: se mettre en colère, se mettre d’accord, se mettre à
• Professional / abstract: mettre en place, mettre en valeur, mettre à jour

Grouping helps your brain find patterns — instead of memorizing random phrases.

2. Use them in your daily life

Even if you’re just talking to yourself, use them out loud:

• “Je me mets au travail.” (I’m getting to work.)
• “Je vais me mettre au lit.” (I’m going to bed.)
• “Je mets un podcast en route.” (I’m starting a podcast.)

When you speak them, they stick.

3. Notice them in context

Watch French shows, YouTube videos, or listen to podcasts — and pay attention whenever you hear mettre.

You’ll start recognizing it in places you never noticed before. Once your ear tunes in, it’ll become second nature.

4. Practice reflexive forms

French loves reflexive verbs, and se mettre shows up everywhere. Practice saying:

• Je me mets à…
• Tu te mets en colère.
• On s’est mis d’accord.

You’ll sound instantly more natural once you get comfortable using it this way.

 

Mini Quiz: Can You Guess the Meaning?

Let’s test your understanding! See if you can translate these before checking the answers below.

1. “Mets-toi à l’aise !”
2. “On met les voiles demain matin.”
3. “Il faut mettre de l’essence.”
4. “Je mets ma ceinture.”
5. “Le prof m’a mis un 20/20 !”

Answers:

1. Make yourself comfortable!
2. We’re setting sail (leaving) tomorrow morning.
3. We need to put gas (in the car).
4. I’m putting on my seatbelt.
5. The teacher gave me a perfect score!

Notice how mettre appears naturally across so many situations — physical, emotional, idiomatic.

 

If you master mettre, you unlock a huge chunk of real, everyday French. It’s not just about vocabulary — it’s about thinking like a native speaker.

French people don’t consciously think, “Which expression with mettre fits here?” They just feel it — because they’ve used it since childhood.

The secret is exposure, repetition, and curiosity. Next time you hear someone say “Je me mets au travail” or “Mets-toi à l’aise,” don’t just translate — absorb it. Repeat it. Use it.

Because once mettre clicks, you’ll notice something:
You won’t be translating anymore. You’ll just be speaking French.