lâcher la proie pour l'ombre

== French == === Etymology === Literally, “to let go of the prey for the shadow”; from the fable Le Chien qui lâche sa proie pour l'ombre by Jean de La Fontaine. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /la.ʃe la pʁwa puʁ l‿ɔ̃bʁ/ ~ /lɑ.ʃe la pʁwa puʁ l‿ɔ̃bʁ/ === Verb === lâcher la proie pour l'ombre (literary) to give up what one has already got to go chasing rainbows; to lose everything because one wanted too much; to get sidetracked, to lose sight of what is important ==== See also ==== un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras