avoir un chat dans la gorge

“Avoir un chat dans la gorge” is a metaphoric French expression that translates literally to “to have a cat in your throat”. The English equivalent is simply:

  • to have a frog in your throat
  • to have a rasping voice
  • to have a croaky voice

A French-to-French translation is “être enroué” or “être éraillé“, which means to be hoarse or husky.

  • Apres avoir fait une dizaine de discours, l’homme politique avait un chat dans la gorge. After having given around ten speeches, the politician was hoarse.
  • Pardon, j’ai du mal à parler. J’ai un chat dans la gorge. Sorry, I’m having a hard time speaking. I have a frog in my throat.

Watch Johan explain this expression:

Video resource: Français Authentique

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