sentir le soufre

French

Etymology

Literally, “to smell of sulfur”, perhaps alluding to explosives (sulfur being one of the ingredients of black powder). Alternatively, from biblical connotations of hell, as in brimstone.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /sɑ̃.tiʁ lə sufʁ/
  • Audio:(file)

Verb

sentir le soufre

  1. (idiomatic) to appear volatile, tense, or dangerous
    • 2022 December 10, “Angleterre-France : le king Giroud délivre des Bleus qui filent en demi-finale de la Coupe du monde”, in Le Figaro:
      Mais rien n'était écrit dans ce quart de finale qui sentait le soufre entre les vieux rivaux.
      But everything was open in this very tense quarter final between old rivals.
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