sang-froid

composure, coolness under pressure

noun sahn-FRWAH Rare

Usage Note

Sang-froid is a masculine compound noun meaning literally 'cold blood' and refers to calm self-possession in a crisis. It is hyphenated and invariable in the plural. The expression garder son sang-froid means 'to keep one's cool'.

Examples

"Il a gardé son sang-froid pendant la crise."

Natural Translation

He kept his composure during the crisis.

Literal Translation

He kept his cold blood during the crisis.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Faire in French: To Make, To Do, and More

Faire in French means more than make and do: master faire vs rendre, weather and sports idioms, the causative, and the mistakes English speakers make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Silent Letters: The CaReFuL Rule

Final consonants in French are silent by default — except C, R, F, L. The CaReFuL rule, the silent -e, the plural-s trap, and liaison, explained simply.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Le, La, Un, Du: French Articles Made Simple

Le, la, un, du, des made simple: pick the French article family by meaning, the form by gender, and dodge the two mistakes English speakers always make.

June 4, 2026 5 min read