One expression in Urdu (Saanp soong jana)

[Tom]

Hi

I would like to discuss with you an expression from my language, Urdu.

Saanp soong jana

saanp--snake
soong--smell
jana--to do

The literal meaning of the expression is to smell a snake, which is completely different from to smell a rat.

When some emotional and loud person either stands corrected in front of many or gets confused terribly or becomes frightened and as a result suddenly becomes quiet, we use this expression--sometimes ironically and sometimes otherwise. For example, yesterday one of our colleagues laid odds that the word grammar is spelled as "grammer--and when a dictionary was opened he "smelt a snake'--I mean, his emotions suddenly petered out and he became quiet--a perfect situation to use our expression.

So, do you think you could tell me an expression or so which could be the substitute of the said one??

I hope I have not given you many qualifications?

Tom

[Mister Micawber]

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He fell silent.
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_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber

[Yankee]

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I don't know if this carries exactly the same sense, but you could also say "He clammed up."
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_________________
Amy
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ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English