IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchLes chiens aboient et la caravane passe
Meaning: Criticism from bystanders does not stop those who are getting on with it.
Literally: The dogs bark and the caravan passes
Example: “Les critiques pleuvent, mais la réforme avance : les chiens aboient et la caravane passe.” — Criticism is pouring in, but the reform keeps moving: let them talk.
English equivalent: The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on
Origin: An image of desert travel, generally traced to an Arabic or Turkish proverb: the camel train keeps its pace while village dogs make noise at its edges. It carries a distinct note of disdain for the barking.
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- Ni chair ni poisson Neither one thing nor the other; impossible to classify.
- Clouer le bec à quelqu'un To silence someone completely, usually with an unanswerable reply.
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