Francophonie· easy· informal
prendre ses jambes à son cou
“to take one's legs to one's neck”
Meaning
to run away as fast as possible
Explanation
Fleeing in such a hurry that your legs seem to be pumping right up towards your neck.
Example
Dès qu'il a vu le chien, il a pris ses jambes à son cou.
As soon as he saw the dog, he was off like a shot.
Origin
Originally just meant setting off on a journey. By the 18th century it had narrowed to mean fleeing in a hurry.
Source
More like this
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- avoir des fourmis dans les jambesto feel a tingling, restless urge to move
- avoir l'estomac dans les talonsto be extremely hungry
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- avoir la gueule de boisto have a hangover