IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchPousser des cris d'orfraie
Meaning: To protest with theatrical outrage.
Literally: To shriek like an osprey
Example: “Au moindre changement d'horaire, les voisins poussent des cris d'orfraie.” — At the slightest change to the schedule, the neighbors scream blue murder.
English equivalent: To scream blue murder
Equivalents in other languages
English: scream blue murder
Origin: Built on a mistake: the osprey is nearly silent, and the shrieking bird is the effraie, the barn owl. The two names were confused early and the phrase kept the wrong bird.
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- Le parcours du combattant A gruelling series of obstacles.
- La flèche du Parthe A wounding remark delivered while leaving.
- Graisser la patte To bribe someone.
- Le haut du pavé The most privileged position in society.
- Mettre pavillon bas To admit defeat.
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