être sur des charbons ardents
Meaning: Being extremely anxious or impatient about something.
Language: French
Literally: to be on hot coals
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Medieval torture method; metaphorically describes unbearable anticipation.
More idioms — Daily Life
- avoir un tuyau — Having inside information or a useful tip about something.
- être à court de — Lacking or running low on something essential.
- crier sur les toits — Announcing something publicly that should remain secret.
- avoir un poisson d'avril — Being fooled by a prank or hoax on April 1st.
- être aux petits soins — Receiving attentive, careful treatment and consideration from someone.
- faire un esclandre — Creating a public disturbance or embarrassing scene.
More French idioms
- avoir un chat dans la gorge — Having difficulty speaking due to hoarseness or a sore throat.
- 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 bleu — Having a bruise on the skin from impact or injury.
- 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.
Loading the full interactive collection…