Scier la branche sur laquelle on est assis
Meaning: To destroy the thing your own position depends on.
Language: French
Literally: To saw the branch one is sitting on
Category: Nature
Origin: The image needs no gloss, which is why versions of it exist across many languages. French usually applies it to institutional self-harm rather than personal folly.
More idioms — Nature
- Tomber de Charybde en Scylla — To escape one danger only to meet a worse one.
- Au creux de la vague — At a low point, with the expectation that things will rise again.
- Nager entre deux eaux — To avoid committing to either side.
- Une coupe sombre — A drastic reduction, especially of staff or budget.
- Nettoyer les écuries d'Augias — To clear up a vast accumulated mess, usually of corruption.
- Veiller au grain — To stay alert for trouble.
More French idioms
- Proposer la botte à quelqu'un — To proposition someone sexually.
- Pousser le bouchon un peu loin — To go too far; to overstep.
- Tirer à boulets rouges — To attack someone ferociously and without restraint.
- Sans bourse délier — Without spending a penny.
- Un branle-bas de combat — Frantic preparation; a general commotion.
- Battre en brèche — To attack a position or argument until it collapses.
From our proverbs
- The shoemaker's children go barefoot — Those who possess expertise often neglect applying it to their own household's needs.
- The whistle doesn't pull the train — Mere noise and commotion accomplish nothing; only genuine effort and power move things fo…
- Third time's the charm — Persistence through repeated attempts eventually succeeds where earlier tries failed.
Loading the full interactive collection…