entendre les mouches voler

French

Etymology

Literally, to hear the flies fly.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɑ̃.tɑ̃.dʁə le muʃ vɔ.le/
  • Audio (Lyon):(file)
  • Audio (Lyon):(file)
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Verb

entendre les mouches voler

  1. (figuratively) to be immersed in complete silence
    on entendait les mouches volerone could hear a pin drop

See also