From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Literally, “to sew the skin of the fox to that of the lion”.
- IPA(key): /ku.dʁə la po dy ʁ(ə).naʁ a sɛl dy ljɔ̃/
coudre la peau du renard à celle du lion
- (figuratively) to combine cunning with strength, to be cunning as well as strong
- Synonym: joindre la ruse à la force