Francophonie· medium· informal
faire le pied de grue
“to make the crane's foot”
Meaning
to wait standing in one place for a long time
Explanation
Used for hanging about waiting for someone who's taking their time, the crane being known for standing stock-still on one leg for ages.
Example
J'ai fait le pied de grue devant le cinéma pendant vingt minutes avant qu'elle arrive.
I stood around waiting outside the cinema for twenty minutes before she showed up.
Origin
The wading bird gave its name to a few older versions of this phrase, "faire la grue" in the 16th century and "faire la jambe de grue" in the 17th, before it settled into today's "pied de grue".
Source
More like this
- mettre la puce à l'oreilleto make someone suspicious
- avoir des fourmis dans les jambesTo feel a tingling, restless urge to move
- avoir la chair de pouleTo get little bumps on the skin
- avoir un chat dans la gorgeto have a scratchy voice
- jouer un pied de cochonto play a mean trick on someone
- avaler des couleuvresTo put up with insults without complaining