Literal Translation
To take the fly
Actual Meaning
To be angry very suddenly
Etymology
Here, the verb ‘prendre’ translates as ‘to feel the effect of’, as in ‘prendre ombrage’ (to take offence). ‘Prendre la mouche’ existed in the 14th century in the form ‘prendre mouskes’. But “mouche”, figuratively, also referred to a worry, a sudden thought. The expression ‘prendre la mouche’ means to have a sudden angry reaction.