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The French expression "Je tombe de haut" explained

You are going to find out everything you have to know about the basic French idiom "Je tombe de haut". To be more specific, it includes a full definition of what it is and how to use it in a dialogue with an audio example. But, we also added some super useful stuff like slow pronunciation audio, dialogue example, synonyms and more!


Translation in English

  • Translation : I am flabbergasted

  • Literal meaning : I fall from high

  • Register : Neutral - Basic

Pronunciation example

Slow

Normal

  • IPA : / ʒə tɔ̃b də o /

aesthetic french quote tomber de haut

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What does it mean?

Definition

Just like "Tomber des nues", this expression carries the feeling of being surprised by something. As surprising as suddenly falling from high altitude.

How to use

You can use this expression when you hear something very unexpected, like something shocking in the news. Or when something unexpected happens to you.

For example: someone just tells you extremely surprising news, then you would say: "Je tombe de haut !" (I'm flabbergasted!). Like if the surprise was so intense that you felt dizzy, like if you were free falling.

Synonyms

Example in a dialogue

Dialogue

Ton ex vient de se marier

Your ex just got married

Sérieux ? Je tombe de haut !

Seriously? I fall from high!*

Sérieux !

Seriously!

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