Comprendre l’expression française « poser un lapin »
A2 French luyện nghe · Tiếng Pháp Pháp · Phù hợp với người mới bắt đầu
What does “poser un lapin” mean in French?
Poser un lapin literally says “to place a rabbit,” but it means to stand someone up — to not show for a meeting and leave them waiting. You can give one or get one: on me pose un lapin (someone bails on me), je pose un lapin (I’m the no-show). It’s most famous for romantic dates, but works for any missed appointment — a friend, a client, even a doctor.
The rabbit is old slang baggage: by the late 1800s un lapin had been a fare-dodger sneaking a free ride, and poser un lapin first meant leaving without paying for a woman’s favours before drifting to today’s “no-show.” Example: “J’avais rendez-vous à 20 h, j’ai attendu une heure, il n’est jamais venu — il m’a posé un lapin.” Note the passive: se faire poser un lapin, to get stood up.