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 (medved' na ukho nastupil) — 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.

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.

First come, first served — Opportunities go to those who arrive early.
Hunger is the best sauce — Food tastes better when you're truly hungry.
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world — Mothers have profound influence on society.