English Expression · Intermediate
mot juste
The perfectly appropriate word or phrase for the situation
Pronunciation: /məʊˈʒuːst/
Meaning
The perfectly appropriate word or phrase for the situation.
Example
She legged it, and for a moment silence reigned. Then Bobbie said, “Phew!” and I agreed that “Phew!” was the mot juste.
She legged it, and for a moment silence reigned. Then Bobbie said, “Phew!” and I agreed that “Phew!” was the mot juste.
Practice tips
- Practice mot juste out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English expression is for intermediate-level learners.