IdiomNature
French
FrenchUn pavé dans la mare
Meaning: A revelation or intervention that disturbs a settled situation.
Literally: A paving stone in the pond
Example: “Le rapport sur la pollution de la rivière a jeté un pavé dans la mare.” — The report on the river's pollution set the cat among the pigeons.
English equivalent: To set the cat among the pigeons
Equivalents in other languages
English: set the cat among the pigeons
Origin: The stone matters less than the stillness it ends — the point is the ripples reaching every edge. It is used of reports and resignations.
More French idioms
- Manu militari By force; with physical compulsion.
- Faire le matamore To swagger and bluster without the courage to back it up.
- Vendre la mèche To give away a secret or a plan.
- Le revers de la médaille The unwelcome other side of something good.
- À beau mentir qui vient de loin Travelers' tales cannot be checked, so they are told without restraint.
- Être à la merci de quelqu'un To be entirely in someone's power.
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