donner un petit coup
To poke in French is donner un petit coup.
The phrase donner un petit coup is used to describe a light, quick strike or jab, often with a finger or a blunt object, rather than a forceful hit. For the non-physical meaning of 'poke' on social media platforms, the French equivalent is envoyer un poke.
Meaning: to jab with an object such as a finger or a stick (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb donner (to give), the adjective petit (small/little) and the noun coup (a blow or hit).
Did you know?
- The word coup in donner un petit coup descends from the Ancient Greek word kólaphos, which specifically referred to a slap on the cheek.
- In French, the word coup is used in dozens of idioms where it has nothing to do with hitting, such as coup de foudre for love at first sight.
- While donner un petit coup describes the action, French speakers often use the verb tâtonner if the poking is done to blindly feel for something in the dark.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coup, donner, petit, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
