French Idioms and Proverbs / A Companion to Deshumbert's "Dictionary of Difficulties"

by de V. Payen-Payne

[Also: tout le tremblement, and, le diable et son train.]

Braise

*Tomber de la poêle dans la braise = To fall out of the frying-pan into the fire.

Passer sur une chose comme un chat sur la braise = To pass lightly over a subject.

Branche

Être comme l’oiseau sur la branche = To be very unsettled.

[This generally refers to a man’s position in life, whether he will stay where he is or be made to leave.]

Branler

*Tout ce qui branle ne tombe pas = A creaking gate hangs long.

Bras