ConnectPhrase · Ages 8-80 · In use
avoir la chienne
To be scared, to get the jitters. 'Ça m'a donné la chienne' means 'that freaked me out'.
J'avais la chienne avant mon oral. (I was so nervous before my presentation.)
For parents and educators
Harmless. A nice opening to talk about what's making them nervous.
Where it came from
A familiar Québec expression. 'Chienne' here means fear, not a dog.
Also heard as
la chienne m'a pogné, donner la chienne