IdiomThe Absurd
French
FrenchUn ange passe
Meaning: Said to acknowledge a sudden awkward silence in a conversation.
Literally: An angel is passing
Example: “Quand il a mentionné son ex au dîner, un ange est passé.” — When he mentioned his ex at dinner, you could have heard a pin drop.
English equivalent: You could hear a pin drop
Equivalents in other languages
English: you could hear a pin drop
Origin: The idea that a lull falls when an angel crosses the room is old and widespread — a Greek version invoked Hermes instead. French fixed it as a wry announcement, spoken precisely to break the silence it names.
More French idioms
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