lâcher la proie pour l'ombre

French

Etymology

Literally, “to let go of the prey for the shadow”; from the fable Le Chien qui lâche sa proie pour l'ombre by Jean de La Fontaine.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /la.ʃe la pʁwa puʁ l‿ɔ̃bʁ/, /lɑ.ʃe la pʁwa puʁ l‿ɔ̃bʁ/

• France (Lyon)

  (file)

• France (Lyon)

  (file)

Verb

lâcher la proie pour l’ombre

1. (literary) to give up what one has already got to go chasing rainbows; to lose everything because one wanted too much; to get sidetracked, to lose sight of what is important

See also

• un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l’auras