entendre les mouches voler

French

Etymology

Literally, “to hear the flies fly”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɑ̃.tɑ̃.dʁə le muʃ vɔ.le/

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• Audio (Lyon):

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Verb

entendre les mouches voler

1. (figuratively) to be immersed in complete silence

   on entendait les mouches voler ― one could hear a pin drop

See also

• un ange passe
• silence assourdissant