Un Ange Passe

The French expression un ange passe is used to describe a sudden, unexpected break in conversation due to some kind of awkwardness or embarrassment. The question is, is the angel the cause or the effect of the silence? On the one hand, maybe the fact that an angel is passing is what causes the conversation to dry up. On the other, it could mean that the angel is aware of the awkwardness and is passing in order to try to smooth it over.

Expression: Un ange passe

Pronunciation: [oo(n) na(n)zh pas]

Literal translation: An angel is passing

Register: normal

Example

   En annonçant que j'avais perdu mon emploi, un ange est passé.

   When I announced that I'd lost my job, there was an awkward silence.