French Expression of the Day: En roue libre
This phrase is not just for cyclists
Why do I need to know en roue libre ?
Because there are two meanings for this expression, and you’ll want to understand the difference.
What does it mean?
En roue libre – roughly pronounced ahn roo lee-bruh – translates to “in freewheel mode.” Officially, this phrase refers to riding a bicycle with the pedals at rest, and it is often used to describe coasting downhill.
Outside of cycling, however, the phrase has two other figurative meanings, and these are the more likely scenarios you would hear the phrase.
The first is “freewheeling,” which has a similar meaning to the English term. Someone might say the phrase “partir en roue libre” (to go in freewheel mode) if they are describing a person who has gone off the beaten track or who has gone adrift from the official plan. Other similar terms in English might be 'a loose cannon' or 'off-piste'. This is the version of the expression you are more likely to hear.
When used in this way, the phrase conjures up a mental image more akin to someone who has lost control of the (metaphorical) bicycle and is barrelling down the hill at high speeds. You might hear the expression used in this way when describing a politician who has gone off-script (often in a negative sense).
The second way en roue libre can be used is to describe a person who is ‘coasting’ - or putting in little effort. You might hear someone describe a coworker who has put in their notice to quit as “rouler en roue libre” - simply coasting by, not straining themselves to do any extra work.
Use it like this
Daniel a donné son préavis pour quitter l'entreprise, et depuis, il se contente de rouler en roue libre, sans faire trop d'efforts. – Daniel gave his notice to leave the company, and since then he has been happy to coast along, not putting in too much effort.
L'homme politique controversé est souvent en roue libre lors des entretiens avec la presse. Il est difficile de suivre le fil de sa pensée car il passe d'une déclaration scandaleuse à une autre. – The controversial politician is often going off-piste during press interviews. It is difficult to follow his train of thought because he jumps from one outrageous statement to the next.
Il est en roue libre depuis qu'il a gagné au loto. – He has been coasting since he won the lottery.
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Why do I need to know en roue libre ?
Because there are two meanings for this expression, and you’ll want to understand the difference.
What does it mean?
En roue libre – roughly pronounced ahn roo lee-bruh – translates to “in freewheel mode.” Officially, this phrase refers to riding a bicycle with the pedals at rest, and it is often used to describe coasting downhill.
Outside of cycling, however, the phrase has two other figurative meanings, and these are the more likely scenarios you would hear the phrase.
The first is “freewheeling,” which has a similar meaning to the English term. Someone might say the phrase “partir en roue libre” (to go in freewheel mode) if they are describing a person who has gone off the beaten track or who has gone adrift from the official plan. Other similar terms in English might be 'a loose cannon' or 'off-piste'. This is the version of the expression you are more likely to hear.
When used in this way, the phrase conjures up a mental image more akin to someone who has lost control of the (metaphorical) bicycle and is barrelling down the hill at high speeds. You might hear the expression used in this way when describing a politician who has gone off-script (often in a negative sense).
The second way en roue libre can be used is to describe a person who is ‘coasting’ - or putting in little effort. You might hear someone describe a coworker who has put in their notice to quit as “rouler en roue libre” - simply coasting by, not straining themselves to do any extra work.
Use it like this
Daniel a donné son préavis pour quitter l'entreprise, et depuis, il se contente de rouler en roue libre, sans faire trop d'efforts. – Daniel gave his notice to leave the company, and since then he has been happy to coast along, not putting in too much effort.
L'homme politique controversé est souvent en roue libre lors des entretiens avec la presse. Il est difficile de suivre le fil de sa pensée car il passe d'une déclaration scandaleuse à une autre. – The controversial politician is often going off-piste during press interviews. It is difficult to follow his train of thought because he jumps from one outrageous statement to the next.
Il est en roue libre depuis qu'il a gagné au loto. – He has been coasting since he won the lottery.
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