IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchTuer dans l'œuf
Meaning: To stop something before it can develop.
Literally: To kill in the egg
Example: “La direction a tué la grève dans l'œuf en accordant la prime.” — Management nipped the strike in the bud by granting the bonus.
English equivalent: To nip something in the bud
Equivalents in other languages
Dutch: in de kiem smoren Literally: To smother in the germ
English: nip something in the bud
Origin: Acting at the earliest possible stage, when the cost of doing so is lowest. English nips in the bud, choosing a plant where French chooses an animal.
More French idioms
- Envoyer paître To tell someone to get lost.
- La boîte de Pandore Something that releases a host of troubles once opened.
- Le dessus du panier The pick of the crop; the best of a group.
- Un panier percé Someone incapable of holding on to money.
- Le parcours du combattant A gruelling series of obstacles.
- La flèche du Parthe A wounding remark delivered while leaving.
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