Example: Après cette dispute, ses émotions étaient à fleur de peau toute la journée.
Definition
"À fleur de peau" is a French expression describing a state where emotions are very sensitive, intense, and easily triggered, as if feelings are just beneath the surface of the skin. It is often used to convey heightened emotional sensitivity or vulnerability.
Translations
To be highly sensitive
Estar a flor de piel
Overgevoelig zijn
Tenir la pell a flor de pell
Nah am Wasser gebaut sein
Etymology
The phrase "À fleur de peau" literally translates to "at the flower of the skin," meaning just beneath the skin's surface. It evokes the idea that emotions are so close to being exposed that they can be felt physically. This vivid imagery helps explain why the phrase is used to describe emotional sensitivity.
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"À fleur de peau" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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To be highly sensitive