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avoir un chat dans la gorge

Meaning: Having difficulty speaking due to hoarseness or a sore throat.

Language: French

Literally: to have a cat in the throat

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: The sensation of a scratchy throat resembles a cat's rough texture.

More idioms — Body & Senses

  • avoir un bleu — Having a bruise on the skin from impact or injury.
  • avoir une dent contre quelqu'un — Holding a grudge or resentment toward someone.
  • avoir le trac — Feeling nervous or anxious before a performance or important event.
  • avoir une grosse tête — Being arrogant, conceited, or thinking highly of oneself.
  • avoir la chair de poule — Experiencing fear, cold, or emotional reaction causing skin reaction.
  • mettre son doigt sur la plaie — Identifying the exact problem or sensitive issue in a situation.

More French idioms

  • se battre contre les moulins à vent — Fighting a hopeless battle against something immovable or pointless.
  • faire ses choux gras — Profiting greatly from a situation at someone else's expense.
  • avoir un tuyau — Having inside information or a useful tip about something.
  • être à court de — Lacking or running low on something essential.
  • prendre ses rêves pour des réalités — Confusing fantasy with reality; living in delusion.
  • faire la pluie et le beau temps — Having complete control over a situation or someone's fate.

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