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taupe

mole (animal)

noun TOHP Rare

Also means

spy

Usage Note

Taupe is primarily the burrowing mammal but has a well-established second sense in espionage: a mole (a spy embedded in an organization). The color taupe — a dark grayish-brown — takes its name from the animal's fur and is used in fashion and interior design. Myope comme une taupe (blind as a bat/mole) is a common idiom.

Examples

"Une taupe a creusé des galeries dans le jardin."

Natural Translation

A mole dug tunnels in the garden.

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