entre chien et loup

== French == === Etymology === Calque of Latin inter canem et lupum (“between a dog and a wolf”), because at that time in the day, one can't see the difference. Traditional sentiment, dating to antiquity (found in 2nd century CE texts), in French from the 18th century. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ɑ̃.tʁə ʃjɛ̃ e lu/ === Adverb === entre chien et loup (literally) between a dog and a wolf (by extension, idiomatic) at dusk, at twilight; gloaming (photography) golden hour (used in same technical sense for “good photographic light at twilight”) ==== Usage notes ==== If used in poetic sense, witching hour, which describes a different time of day, when it is darker, but is similarly idiomatic, may provide a more evocative translation. ==== Synonyms ==== brunante crépuscule heure bleue à la tombée de la nuit === References ===