se regarder en chiens de faïence

to regard each other with hostility

Used when two people stare at each other with hostility or defiance while remaining silent.

Depuis leur dispute, les deux frères se regardent en chiens de faïence.

Since their argument, the two brothers have been regarding each other with hostility.

In the late 17th century, people decorated fireplaces with pairs of glazed pottery (faïence) dogs facing each other. They just sat there, staring.