Example: Elle a pris la mouche après la remarque de son collègue.
Definition
"Prendre la mouche" is a French expression meaning to suddenly become irritated or offended, often over a minor issue. For example, when someone quickly gets upset after a comment, they are said to "prendre la mouche."
Translations
To take offense easily
Mosquearse
Meteen beledigd zijn
Ofendre's de seguida
Sich gleich angegriffen fühlen
Etymology
The phrase "prendre la mouche" literally means 'to catch the fly.' It likely originates from the idea of a fly suddenly reacting or buzzing angrily when disturbed, symbolizing a quick, petty annoyance in human behavior. Did you know? The expression vividly captures the suddenness of irritation.
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"Prendre la mouche" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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To take offense easily