French phrases.

Some common french words and phrases used in English.

a la carte : according to the menu

au naturel: food cooked in the simplest manner

avant garde: art or fashion produced most recently and conveying the newest artistic ideas

carte blanche: full freedom given to a person by his superior

creme de la creme: the very best

double entendre: a word or phrase which has a double meaning

elan: eagerness

faux pas: an error in social behavior

fait accompli: something that has happened which cannot be changed

joie de vivre: enjoying life

nouveau riche: newly rich

raison d'etre: reason for existing

rapprochement: two enemies coming together in reconciliation

sang-froid: great self control in a difficult situation

tete-a-tete : private conversation between two persons

tour de force: show of great skill or power

volte-face: complete change of one's point of view