Example: Elle a pris la mouche dès qu'on a critiqué son projet.
Definition
"Prendre la mouche" means to become quickly and unexpectedly irritated or offended, often over something minor. For example, when someone criticizes a project and the person immediately reacts with annoyance, they are said to "prendre la mouche."
Translations
To take offense
Ofenderse enseguida
Meteen op je tenen getrapt zijn
Ofendre's de seguida
Sich gleich angegriffen fühlen
Etymology
The expression "prendre la mouche" literally translates to 'take the fly' in English. It likely comes from the idea of a fly suddenly irritating someone, causing a quick and sharp reaction. This phrase vividly captures how a small annoyance can provoke an outsized emotional response.
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"Prendre la mouche" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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To take offense