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s’attirer les foudres

The French expression “s’attirer les foudres” translates literally to “attract thunderbolts” and can also be seen as “s’attirer foudres de quelqu’un” or to attract thunderbolts from somebody. English meanings include:

  • to provoke an angry response from somebody
  • to incur somebody’s wrath

A French definition on expressio.fr suggests the meaning is to attract negative comments (reproach) or condemnation.

Here’s an example sentence:

  • En rentrant chez elle apres sa permission de 22h00, elle s’est attiré les foudres de ses parents. By coming home after her 10.00pm curfew, she incurred her parents’ wrath (her parents got very angry at her).

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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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