sauter au mur

English translation: we\'re going to lose our cool/hit the roof

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

French term or phrase:	sauter au mur
English translation:	we\'re going to lose our cool/hit the roof
Entered by:	Scott de Lesseps

17:06 Jun 5, 2016

French to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

French term or phrase: sauter au mur

From a business meeting conference call:

Je te jure que s’ils le prennent comme ça le meeting euh on va sauter au mur !

I know what it means literally of course, but is this some sort of expression that has another meaning?

Scott de Lesseps KudoZ activity Questions: 487 (none open) (4 without valid answers) (22 closed without grading) Answers: 2 United States
Local time: 21:43

we're going to lose our cool

Explanation:
Lots of suggestions for alternatives here:

http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/losing one's cool

Selected response from:

Jane F
France
Local time: 03:43

Grading comment

This answer seems to fit best in the context. The other answers might be suitable for other contexts. Thanks to everyone.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

hit a brick wall

Andrew Bramhall

so let's take the plunge and see how it turns out

David Hollywood

to kick off...or to set y

Margaret Morrison

2 +1

we'll get on like a house on fire

Wendy Streitparth

we're going to lose our cool

Jane F

Summary of reference entries provided

just a couple of random examples

writeaway

sauter au plafond

Roy vd Heijden

Discussion entries: 21

Scott de Lesseps

United States

ASKER

20:27 Jun 7, 2016

Thanks for the additional comments. I agree it's probably some sort of strong reaction. The people talking in the document seemed to be "fed up" with the people they are doing business with, as they refer to them as "idiots", so "hit the roof" seems to fit the context.

Graeme Jones

United Kingdom

Blow a fuse?

19:03 Jun 7, 2016

Just along similar lines but keeping some of the sauter idea

Graeme Jones

United Kingdom

What's the emotion?

18:22 Jun 6, 2016

Is this the reaction to those arriving with the one-pager?
If so, is it: shock/horror; surprise; delight; or something else?

ormiston

do you not have any comments before or after this?

14:08 Jun 6, 2016

I suspect it is a negative notion but it's a guess

Anne Gaujard-Scott

France

10:33 Jun 6, 2016

As a French native, I have never heard this expression, which to me doesn't make any sense - indeed the closest would be "sauter au plafond", which I am not sure would fit the context here.
In fact it is really difficult to understand what the person means, even looking at the text around it. They are using a mix of slang, spoken language mannerisms and "anglicismes", and I'd say their own grasp of the French language is quite approximative!
IMO the only way to work out what they really mean is to look at the broader context and take your best guess. Looking at the level of language used here, you definitely won't find answers in dictionaries. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

BrigitteHilgner

Austria

jump at a wall

06:21 Jun 6, 2016

http://n.wikia.com/wiki/Walljump

BrigitteHilgner

Austria

It seems to be an expression ...

05:55 Jun 6, 2016

used in computer games - somebody really jumps at a wall (probably to overcome an enemy):
https://www.icaryon.com/comix-zone
Se comment no. 5

Scott de Lesseps

United States

ASKER

05:43 Jun 6, 2016

I like "hit the roof", which seems to fit the context. Any other opinions on that? : )

sporran

France

19:55 Jun 5, 2016

Agree with Charles. I suggest something like 'hit the roof', 'be up in arms' or equivalent.

Francois Boye

United States

19:08 Jun 5, 2016

I know the meaning of 'sauter le mur', not of 'sauter au mur'. The latter expression is not even mentioned in the CNRS dictionary (TLFI)

Scott de Lesseps

United States

ASKER

18:24 Jun 5, 2016

I believe this is France, but not 100% sure.

Charles Davis

Spain

It seems to imply a strong reaction

18:21 Jun 5, 2016

Presumably hostile in this case, though not always. Getting worked up in some way. Maybe in this context it means something like "there'll be trouble".

Facebook's new advertising policy:
"Cela a fait sauter au mur de nombreux responsables des réseaux sociaux qui s'inquiètent à juste titre de la qualité des messages publicitaires"
http://www.ad-exchange.fr/facebook-change-les-regles-et-doub...

"Même si je n'arrive pas à comprendre l'engouement autour du film Gravity qui a l'air somme tout très sympa mais sans me faire sauter au mur"
http://www.lyricis.fr/tag/eric-michels/page/2/

Scott de Lesseps

United States

ASKER

more context

18:19 Jun 5, 2016

Thanks everyone for the replies. Here's the text before it:

Parce que le problème c'est que eux ils viennent avec un one pager pour dire : « Voilà ce que nous sommes capables de faire aujourd'hui. »
Ouais non mais voilà non mais c’est pour ça.

polyglot45

sparks will fly

18:18 Jun 5, 2016

the s*** will hit the fan

David Hollywood

18:16 Jun 5, 2016

How sure are you about this Oliver?

David Hollywood

18:13 Jun 5, 2016

I was tossed between 2 totally contradictory ideas so decided to delete

writeaway

not sure at this point.

18:13 Jun 5, 2016

What country is this from and what is the context leading up to it?
Imo it's definitely a reaction. And imo the examples do show different (contradictory) possibilities.

David Hollywood

18:09 Jun 5, 2016

ok but you are very fluent in French so what do you think?

writeaway

looking at the examples I found of the expression

18:06 Jun 5, 2016

being used, I personally don't see how brick wall would work.

David Hollywood

18:05 Jun 5, 2016

deleted my suggestion but something with "brick wall" might work

writeaway

What country is this from?

17:41 Jun 5, 2016

It could be useful to know.

Answers

46 mins confidence:

hit a brick wall

Explanation:
It's a figurative metaphor meaning for something to come up against insurmountable obstacles;

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:43
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 8

1 hr confidence:

so let's take the plunge and see how it turns out

Explanation:
maybe

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Note added at 1 hr (2016-06-05 18:28:13 GMT)
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and hope we don't come up against a brick wall

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2016-06-05 18:36:58 GMT)
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juggling with the idea and hope it helps

David Hollywood
Local time: 22:43
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 28

1 hr confidence:

to kick off...or to set y

Explanation:
From the various examples supplied I would suggest there would have to be 2 distinct translations one for positive reaction and one for negative
for positive I would use, perhaps, "to set my world on fire" or "rock my world"
and in the given context where it implies a more negative reaction "to kick off" or as previously suggested, "shit will hit the fan"
ie "I'm telling you, if they're going to come at it like that then it's all going to kick off"

Margaret Morrison
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:43
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 8

2 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

we'll get on like a house on fire

Explanation:
In this context, simply because it could either be cynical or genuine.

Wendy Streitparth
Germany
Local time: 03:43
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16

21 hrs confidence:

we're going to lose our cool

Explanation:
Lots of suggestions for alternatives here:

http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/losing one's cool

Jane F
France
Local time: 03:43
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 58

Grading comment

This answer seems to fit best in the context. The other answers might be suitable for other contexts. Thanks to everyone.

Reference comments

51 mins

Reference: just a couple of random examples

Reference information:
to give a 'feel' of the expression/what it may mean.

Désolé, en tant que bon Suisse, fondue savoyarde me fait chaque fois sauter au mur...
http://www.marmiton.org/forum/theme-pains-pates/d-fondue-sav...

Feb 9, 2011 - Bref, un film intelligent avec au moins 5 à 6 moments pendant lesquels il faut être vraiment de marbre (comme on dit) pour pas sauter au mur.
http://didierlestrade.fr/porno/article/campus-pizza

Par contre, les habitués des machines Nagra ( IV-S, V, BB+ et PII+), vont sauter au mur en lisant que la qualité du son est professionel, je propose d'aller tester ...
http://fr.audiofanzine.com/enregistreur-poche/nagra/ARES-M/a...

un disque simple édité par Amtrat, ne payant pas de mine (et effectivement, pas de quoi sauter au mur, le son était un peu granuleux, et le concert était tout sauf complet).
http://clashdohertyrock.canalblog.com/archives/2014/10/26/30...

writeaway
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 66

1 hr

Reference: sauter au plafond

Reference information:
« Expr. fig., fam. Sauter au plafond. Exprimer vivement un sentiment de surprise ou d'indignation. »
(http://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/plafond)

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Note added at 1 uur (2016-06-05 18:38:59 GMT)
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« Si réagir rapidement peut être associé à se mettre en colère, on rencontre «grimper au mur» (se mettre en colère), pas loin de faire penser à «Monter sur ses grands chevaux». »
(http://www.languefrancaise.net/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4424)

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Note added at 1 uur (2016-06-05 18:43:29 GMT)
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Ici, il semble y avoir contamination de deux expressions : « sauter au plafond » et « grimper au mur ».

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Note added at 2 uren (2016-06-05 19:46:15 GMT)
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N.B. : L'interjection « euh » marque le doute, l'incertitude.
Comme si l'énonciateur était sur le point de dire « on va sauter au plafond », mais qu'au dernier moment il s'était rendu compte de l'ambiguïté de cette expression-là. Par acte manqué, pour éviter dans ce contexte de business meeting toute allusion à l'accomplissement de l'acte sexuel, il n'a finalement sauté qu'au mur au lieu de sauter jusqu'au plafond.

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Note added at 2 uren (2016-06-05 19:53:43 GMT)
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correction : ..., il a in fine opté pour « sauter au mur » au lieu de « sauter au plafond ».

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Note added at 1 dag3 uren (2016-06-06 20:49:45 GMT)
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je saute au mur / je saute au plafond :

« La pire mort que vous avez infligée à des insectes ? »
« Perso, je saute au mur quand j'en vois un donc bon, je risque pas de les buter. »
(https://www.rencontre-ado.com/forum/discussions-generales/la...

« Quand je vois un insecte, que ce soit n'importe quel insecte, je saute au plafond ! »
(http://www.forums-mx.com/index.php?topic=5582.20;wap2)

Roy vd Heijden
Belgium
Native speaker of:

Dutch

Note to reference poster

Asker: maybe we are going to climb the walls?

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sauter au mur

English translation: we\'re going to lose our cool/hit the roof

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English translation: we\'re going to lose our cool/hit the roof

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