Literal Translation
To take one’s clics and clacs
Actual Meaning
To take one’s stuff and leave immediately
Etymology
Usually used in the imperative: ‘prends tes cliques et tes claques!’.
This expression, dating from 1830, is most often used in the context of a hasty departure. ‘Claques’ were protective footwear worn over shoes to prevent dirt and mud from outside from being brought into the house. People would put on their claques to go out. The expression originated from the onomatopoeic sounds ‘clic’ and ‘clac’, which imitate the sound of wet claques on the pavement. The notion of speed was added, then that of taking all one’s belongings and not just one’s claques!