The English equivalent of the French idiom of the jour can also be said in French.
ôter une épine du pied.
To remove a thorn from somebody’s foot
To take a weight off somebody’s shoulders
However I like the one I picked best. We all know how painful it is to get a thorn stuck under the skin. Often we need in fact someone’s help to pull it out.
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This French expression originates from the 15th century, when the noun “thorn” meant also “difficulty” and by extension an embarrassing and painful situation.
Wherever you live, whatever language you speak, do you know of a similar expression?
See you tomorrow!
Evelyne Holingue 
I think you have a good US expression in your listing.
Ha! Some of them are quite easy to match, I must say. Wait until the last letters of the alphabet! Thank you, Dan.
Yes, I think taking the weight or removing the burden is a good equivalent 🙂
I didn’t find anything else neither, Andrea. Both expressions are as eloquent, but the thorn is pretty visual. Thank you again for stoping by.
Ooh, I like the phrase because you really sense the sharpness being taken away from your skin.
Ouch, right? Thank you, Jennifer for your constant support.
This one translates just fine!
Doesn’t it? 😊 thank you, Marilyn.
The thorn that comes immediately to my English-speaking mind is “thorn in the side.” If someone’s a thorn in my side, I see her not as a physical pain or a burden but as a nuisance, an annoyance. Is there a French equivalent for that?
Lean on me, is another american expression for the same thing… as in the song, “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wpof8s5ZTg He sings it the best in my opinion! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
Lean on me is sweeter than the French thorn! 😊
Thank you for the link to the song, Lisa. 🎶
I remember trying to get thorns out of my children’s feet – the perils of being barefoot and fancy free!
Ouch! I stuck a few things in my feet, too, since I love being barefoot. In terms of idioms I still find the French one pretty good to express the idea of relief. See you soon, Claire.