IdiomNature
French
FrenchIl y a de l'orage dans l'air
Meaning: Trouble is brewing.
Literally: There's a storm in the air
Example: “Les deux frères ne se parlent plus depuis ce matin ; il y a de l'orage dans l'air.” — The two brothers haven't spoken since this morning; storm clouds are gathering.
English equivalent: Storm clouds are gathering
Other ways to say this
Spanish: oler a chamusquina Literally: To smell of a scorch or singe- French: Il y a de l'eau dans le gaz Literally: There is water in the gas
English: storm clouds are gathering
Origin: The pressure before a storm is felt before anything is seen, which is the state the phrase names. It is said of rooms more than of weather.
More French idioms
- Manu militari By force; with physical compulsion.
- Faire le matamore To swagger and bluster without the courage to back it up.
- Vendre la mèche To give away a secret or a plan.
- Le revers de la médaille The unwelcome other side of something good.
- À beau mentir qui vient de loin Travelers' tales cannot be checked, so they are told without restraint.
- Être à la merci de quelqu'un To be entirely in someone's power.
Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words
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- Râler To complain and grumble with a certain national flair — a beloved French pastime.
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