It is interesting that speakers of many languages seem to use expressions involving animals, the French being no exception. Here are 15 examples of popular French idioms featuring our furry friends:
1) Arriver comme un chien dans un jeu de quilles – To turn up when least needed. (Literally: To turn up like a dog in a game of skittles).
2) Bon chien chasse de race – Like father, like son. (Literally: A good dog hunts good stock).
3) À bon chat bon rat – Tit for tat. (Literally: A good rat for a good cat).
4) Avoir un chat dans la gorge – To have a frog in one’s throat. (Literally: To have a cat in one’s throat).
5) J’ai d’autres chats à fouetter – I’ve other fish to fry. (Literally: I have other cats to flog).
6) Poser un lapin à quelqu’un – To stand somebody up. (Literally: To do a rabbit on someone).
7) C’est changer un cheval borgne pour un aveugle – It’s jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. (Literally: It’s exchanging a one-eyed horse for a blind one).
8) Les loups ne se dévorent pas entre eux – There is honour among thieves. (Literally: Wolves do not eat each other).
9) Quand on parle du loup (on en voit la queue) – Speak of the devil (and he appears). (Literally: When you speak of the wolf, you see its tail).
10) Je voudrais bien être une petite souris – I’d love to be a fly on the wall. (Literally: I’d love to be a tiny mouse).
11) Comme un éléphant dans un magasin de porcelaine – Like a bull in a china shop. (Literally: Like an elephant in a china shop).
12) Revenons à nos moutons – Let’s get back to the subject. (Literally: Let’s get back to our sheep).
13) Sauter du coq à l’âne – To jump from one subject to another. (Literally: To jump from the cock to the donkey).
14) Quelle mouche t’a piqué? – What’s got into you? (Literally: What fly has bitten you?)
15) C’est le serpent qui se mord la queue – It’s a vicious circle. (Literally: It’s the snake who bites its own tail).