IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchAiguiser ses couteaux
Meaning: To prepare oneself for conflict or confrontation.
Literally: To sharpen one's knives
Example: “À l'approche du congrès, les rivaux du président aiguisent leurs couteaux.” — As the convention approaches, the president's rivals are sharpening their knives.
English equivalent: The knives are out
Equivalents in other languages
English: the knives are out
Origin: Sharpening one's knives is the last thing one does before a fight. Littré already records aiguiser ses couteaux figuratively in the 19th century, "to prepare for combat, for a dispute," and it is now a staple of political reporting, for rivals preparing to bring someone down before a congress or an election.
More French idioms
- Être de mauvais poil To be in a bad mood or irritable disposition.
- Casser le nez à coups d’encensoir To offer someone clumsy, exaggerated, and insincere flattery to their face.
- Se casser la figure To fall to the ground; to have an accident or suffer a collapse.
- Péter la balloune (Quebec French) To cause deep disappointment; to shatter someone's illusions or hopes.
- Remuer ciel et terre To exert all possible effort and use every available means to achieve a goal.
- Joindre le geste à la parole To back up what you say with action; to keep your promises.
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