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    perdre la tête

    Grammar & Usage

    idiomatic verb phrase
    neutral

    How it works

    This expression consists of the irregular 3rd-group verb 'perdre' (to lose) followed by the direct object 'la tête' (the head). It is conjugated dynamically according to the subject, using the auxiliary verb 'avoir' in compound tenses (e.g., 'j'ai perdu la tête'). It can mean losing sanity, losing composure under stress, or being infatuated to the point of irrationality.

    Sample sentences

    Avec tout ce bruit et ce désordre, je vais finir par perdre la tête.

    With all this noise and mess, I'm going to end up losing my mind.

    Il a complètement perdu la tête depuis qu'il est tombé amoureux d'elle.

    He completely lost his head ever since he fell in love with her.

    Dans les situations d'urgence, il est crucial de ne pas perdre la tête.

    In emergency situations, it is crucial not to lose your cool.

    Quick facts

    verbGroup:3rd group (-re)
    auxiliaryVerb:avoir
    literalVsFigurative:Literally 'to lose one's head' (decapitation), now almost exclusively figurative.

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    Avec tout ce bruit et ce désordre, je vais finir par perdre la tête.

    With all this noise and mess, I'm going to end up losing my mind.

    Il a complètement perdu la tête depuis qu'il est tombé amoureux d'elle.

    He completely lost his head ever since he fell in love with her.

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