Essentially a French vocabulary tutor for English speakers, although the emphasis is very much on learning stock, idiomatic and colloquial phrases as opposed to lists of isolated words. Expressions with near-identical meanings are grouped together. There are sections for both intermediate and early advanced learners, as well as a "Not to Say" collection of vulgar and offensive terms.

The author is an American teacher of English who prior to writing the book had lived and worked for many years in Paris.