Apprendre B110 min Membre
10 Idioms for Describing People
Describing colleagues without being boring
French speakers describe people with adjectives: il est compétent, elle est sympathique, il est difficile. English uses idioms to add colour and nuance. These are the ones you'll hear — and can use — at work.
Positive
"She's a go-getter." — Elle est fonceur / très ambitieuse.
Someone who pursues goals aggressively and gets things done. Always positive.
Someone who pursues goals aggressively and gets things done. Always positive.
"He's a people person." — Il est sociable / à l'aise avec les gens.
Someone who's naturally good with people. Great for HR, sales, management roles.
Someone who's naturally good with people. Great for HR, sales, management roles.
"She's sharp." — Elle est vive / futée.
Quick-thinking, intelligent, perceptive. "Sharp" is a strong compliment in business.
Quick-thinking, intelligent, perceptive. "Sharp" is a strong compliment in business.
"He's a safe pair of hands." — On peut compter sur lui / C'est quelqu'un de fiable.
Reliable, won't mess things up. You trust them with important tasks. Very British.
Reliable, won't mess things up. You trust them with important tasks. Very British.
"She goes above and beyond." — Elle en fait toujours plus que ce qu'on lui demande.
Does more than expected. The highest compliment in performance reviews.
Does more than expected. The highest compliment in performance reviews.
Negative (but professional)
"He's a bit of a loose cannon." — Il est imprévisible / incontrôlable.
Unpredictable, says or does risky things. Dangerous in client-facing roles.
Unpredictable, says or does risky things. Dangerous in client-facing roles.
"She's a bit set in her ways." — Elle est un peu rigide / résistante au changement.
Resistant to change. Polite way to say "stubborn." The "a bit" softens it.
Resistant to change. Polite way to say "stubborn." The "a bit" softens it.
"He's out of his depth." — Il est dépassé / Ce n'est pas son niveau.
In a role or situation too difficult for them. Not cruel — factual.
In a role or situation too difficult for them. Not cruel — factual.
"She cuts corners." — Elle bâcle le travail.
Takes shortcuts, sacrifices quality. A serious professional criticism.
Takes shortcuts, sacrifices quality. A serious professional criticism.
"He's all talk." — Il est tout en paroles / Il ne fait que parler.
Promises a lot, delivers nothing. Devastating in a work context.
Promises a lot, delivers nothing. Devastating in a work context.
Using them safely
Positive idioms: use freely about anyone, including to their face. Negative idioms: use only with close colleagues, never in writing, and add "a bit" to soften: "He's a bit of a loose cannon" is gossip. "He's a loose cannon" is a formal complaint.
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