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anguille

eel

noun ahn-GHEE Rare

Usage Note

Anguille is both a culinary and an idiom staple: il y a anguille sous roche ('there's an eel under the rock') means 'something fishy is going on' — one of the most common French idioms for hidden mischief. Smoked eel (anguille fumée) is a delicacy in French cuisine.

Examples

"Il y a anguille sous roche dans cette affaire."

Natural Translation

There's something fishy going on in this affair.

Literal Translation

There is eel under the rock in this affair.

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