faire ses griffes
Meaning: Practicing or preparing oneself for a challenging task or confrontation.
Language: French
Literally: to sharpen one's claws
Category: Animals
Origin: Cats sharpen claws to prepare for combat or hunting.
More idioms — Animals
- jemandem einen Bären aufbinden — To tell someone a deliberate lie or deceptive story for amusement or manipulation.
- mit jemandem Katz und Maus spielen — To tease or toy with someone's emotions, alternating between kind and cruel treatment for…
- tener un rabo de paja — To feel guilty or anxious about something, fearing exposure of a personal fault or secret.
- essere un osso duro — Be a difficult, stubborn person who is challenging to deal with or influence.
- медведь на ухо наступил — To lack musical ability or have poor sense of pitch and rhythm.
- att vara rädd som en hare — To be extremely fearful and jumpy, ready to flee at the slightest danger.
More French idioms
- manger du bout des lèvres — Eating without appetite or showing disinterest in the meal.
- avoir une peur bleue — Being terrified or extremely frightened of something.
- être du voyage — Being involved in an illicit or questionable scheme.
- faire le gendarme — Acting authoritarian or enforcing rules with excessive zeal.
- avoir des étoiles dans les yeux — Being dreamy, hopeful, or enchanted by romantic ideals.
- faire un couac — Making an embarrassing mistake or producing a discordant sound.
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