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Avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez

Avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez

Avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez is a French expression that translates literally to “to have mustard climbing up to the nose” and means “to lose your temper” or “to get hot under the collar”.

Avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez - French expression meaning to lose your temper.

Expression origin

The expression dates back to the 17th century. It provides an image of a person who shows a change in appearance and emotion after having just eaten mustard.

Example sentence

La moutarde me monte au nez quand je vois des gens qui refusent de suivre les règles.

I get angry when I see people who refuse to follow the rules.

French has several more expressions relating to angry:

  • être vert de rage – Literally to be green with rage
  • s’attirer les foudres de quelqu’un – to incur somebody’s anger
  • une bouffée de colère/rage (noun) – a surge of anger

More expressions with food

Reference

French expressions | Lessons by David Issokson

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David Issokson
David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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