sous le coup de

in the heat of

→ sous

phrase Rare #45,028

in the heat of Often used with emotions, as in “in the heat of anger.” It can also mean “under the effect of” or “subject to,” depending on what follows.

FR: Sous le coup de la colère, il a claqué la porte.

EN: In the heat of anger, he slammed the door.

C'était sous le coup de la colère.

It was said in the heat of anger.

— Shower (1999)

Vous réagissez sous le coup de l'émotion, Mlle Malti.

You’re reacting emotionally, Miss Malti.

— Article 15 (2019)

Sous le coup de la colère, elle a pu me parler de Burke.

In the heat of anger, she was able to talk to me about Burke.

— Reconnu coupable (2026)

Il ne faut jamais prendre de grandes décisions sous le coup de l'émotion.

You should never make big decisions in the heat of the moment.