IdiomBody & Senses
French
FrenchCouper l'herbe sous le pied de quelqu'un
Meaning: To forestall someone by acting first.
Literally: To cut the grass from under someone's foot
Example: “Le concurrent a sorti le même produit la veille et nous a coupé l'herbe sous le pied.” — The competitor released the same product the day before and stole our thunder.
English equivalent: To steal someone's thunder
Equivalents in other languages
English: To steal someone's thunder
Origin: The footing is removed before the step is completed, so the loss is of position rather than of the contest itself. It implies speed rather than force.
More French idioms
- À la Saint-Glinglin Never — on a day that will never come.
- Une guerre picrocholine A furious conflict over something trivial.
- Est-ce que je te demande si ta grand-mère fait du vélo ? Mind your own business — a retort to an intrusive question.
- Décrocher la lune To achieve the impossible — or, promised, to offer what cannot be delivered.
- Tomber comme à Gravelotte To come down thick and fast, of rain or of blows.
- Veiller au grain To stay alert for trouble.
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