How do you say “Get something off your chest” in French?
The closest natural French equivalent is Vider son sac, which literally means “To empty one’s bag”. English speakers use get something off your chest to mean to talk about something that has been worrying or upsetting you. Natural for saying what has been building up inside, especially complaints; it can be stronger than a quiet confession. Register: informal. Usage frequency: common.
Closest natural French
Vider son sac
/vi.de sɔ̃ sak/
- Literal meaning
- “To empty one’s bag”
- Register
- informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Close equivalent
87 out of 100
What a native French speaker would actually say
English lifts something from the chest; French empties a bag. Both release something that has been carried around.
“Vider son sac” can sound like a stream of complaints. For a softer, more personal conversation, “dire ce qu’on a sur le cœur” is closer.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning4 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context4 out of 5
- Literal similarity1 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in French?
Dire ce qu’on a sur le cœur
Literally: “To say what one has on the heart”
Closer for a personal worry or a gentle confession.
Se confier
Literally: “To confide oneself”
Use when opening up to someone you trust.
Common translation traps
Enlever quelque chose de sa poitrine
This describes physically removing something rather than finding relief by talking.
The notes above explain why these versions do not work in this context in French.
In context
English
I need to get this off my chest.
French
J’ai besoin de dire ce que j’ai sur le cœur.
English
She finally got it all off her chest.
French
Elle a enfin vidé son sac.
Related expressions
- What “Get something off your chest” means in English
- Spill the beans, To give away a secret.
- Clear the air, Talk openly to reduce tension.
Last updated 2026-09-12