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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > What is the English for Quelle mouche le pique?
What is the English for Quelle mouche le pique?
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Sonn
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What is the English for Quelle mouche le pique?
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Dear friends, Is it possible to say What fly has stung you? Would this translation sound natural to an English speaking person or are there any other idioms that should be used in English in this case? Thanks in advance, Natalia |
31 Jul 2023
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douglas
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Perhaps "Who has put a bee in your bonnet?" have a bee in one�s bonnet informal be preoccupied or obsessed about something, especially a scheme or plan of action. "the country gets a bee in its bonnet about some failing in schools"
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31 Jul 2023
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kohai
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In Latvian, we also use "a fly" in this idiom but it seems that in English it�s usually "a bee". The reply by AI: The correct idiom is "What bee has stung you?" or "What bee got into your bonnet?" This idiom is used to ask someone why they are behaving in an agitated or irritable manner, as if they have been unexpectedly bothered or irritated by something. It suggests that the person�s current mood or behaviour is unusual or unwarranted, just like a person who has been stung by a bee might react with sudden agitation or annoyance.
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31 Jul 2023
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spinney
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To have a bee in your bonfire does indeed indicate an overreaction to something rather irritating. I think the phrase closer to the one you are talking about would be "Who has p***ed on your bonfire?!" Perhaps a tad vulgar, but common enough where I come from. I certainly would not teach that to kids but I would consider teaching it to adults. "Who has rained on your parade?" is perhaps a little better, but quite old-fashioned, nowadays.
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1 Aug 2023
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Sonn
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Dear Douglas, Ruta and Dale, thank you very much for your answers! |
3 Aug 2023
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cunliffe
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Who has rattled your cage? What/who has rattled his cage? |
3 Aug 2023
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jannabanna
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Another translation which comes to mind is: What�s got into you? |
4 Aug 2023
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jimmymelrose
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The title of this thread is incorrect.
The correct French expression is: Quelle mouche t�a piqu�?
edit: Why does this site make a mess of apostrophes and accents? Now I understand why the original poster got this wrong although �Quelle mouche te pique?� is still better. |
13 Nov 2023
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