IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchRonger son frein
Meaning: To wait in barely contained impatience.
Literally: To gnaw one's bit
Example: “Blessé, l'attaquant ronge son frein sur le banc.” — Injured, the striker is champing at the bit on the bench.
English equivalent: To champ at the bit
Equivalents in other languages
English: champ at the bit
Origin: A horse held in check chews at the bit in its mouth, which is the only outlet available to it. The phrase describes restraint imposed from outside rather than chosen.
More French idioms
- Lever un lièvre To raise an awkward question nobody wanted opened.
- Une tête de linotte A scatterbrain.
- La part du lion By far the largest portion, taken by the strongest party.
- Être connu comme le loup blanc To be known by absolutely everyone.
- Se jeter dans la gueule du loup To walk straight into obvious danger.
- Un vieux loup de mer A seasoned old sailor.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Didon dîna, dit-on, du dos d'un dodu dindon dont le dodu dos dodine. A 'd' / 'din' / 'dod' avalanche that seems designed to jam the tongue in third gear.
- Un chasseur sachant chasser doit savoir chasser sans son chien. The classic French 'ch' / 's' tangler.
- Les chaussettes de l'archiduchesse sont-elles sèches, archi-sèches? A merciless duel between 'ch' and 's'.
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