“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
Bonjour! My name is David Issokson. I'm based in Victor, Idaho and have helped hundreds of students to learn French via Skype or Zoom since 2014. 
