Being “chocolate”: when you get taken for a ride
Article
In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the expression *être chocolat* means to be disappointed or to have been tricked—in other words, to get taken for a ride and end up in quite a bind. In standard French, one would simply say *être déçu*, *se faire avoir*, *être laissé de côté* or *rester penaud*, depending on the context. It is an everyday regional expression, used mainly in speech, with a slightly mischievous touch that raises a smile even when the situation is less funny. It can be used like this: “I had promised the last slice of cake to my brother, but he arrived too late—he was chocolate.” Or: “The salesperson had promised her a discount, then changed his mind at the last minute; she left chocolate.” Common usage (informal): it is used mainly in speech, among people who know each other, in natural exchanges. Example 1: “Here, when we say *être chocolat*, everyone gets it straight away.” Example 2: “You can slip it in simply: *être chocolat*, and the message comes across without any fuss.” Origin / context: this expression became established through everyday use in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, shaped by local habits, oral transmission and the region’s small linguistic nuances. Selected type: Funny expressions.
Information
Where: Nouvelle-Aquitaine