Francophonie· easy
avoir un chat dans la gorge
“to have a cat in the throat”
Meaning
to have a scratchy voice
Explanation
This expression describes having a hoarse or raspy voice, often from a sore throat or cold.
Example
Excuse ma voix, j'ai un chat dans la gorge ce matin.
Excuse my voice, I'm hoarse this morning.
Origin
In the 19th century, 'maton' meant a hairball that could block your throat. The word drifted to 'matou' (tomcat), then simply 'chat' (cat). Some think the raspy sound you make also resembles purring.
Source
More like this
- avoir des fourmis dans les jambesTo feel a tingling, restless urge to move
- avoir la chair de pouleTo get little bumps on the skin
- faire le pied de grueto wait standing in one place for a long time
- mettre la puce à l'oreilleto make someone suspicious
- jouer un pied de cochonto play a mean trick on someone
- appeler un chat un chatto speak plainly and directly