Literal translation
don't rock the boat
Meaning
don't move!
Explanation
The verb boulega means to stir, to shake, to jostle, and batèu means boat: the command boulegues pas lou batèu literally addresses someone in a small craft who, through overly abrupt movements, risks destabilizing or capsizing it. This maritime image, very natural in a region turned toward the sea, transfers easily into a figurative sense, asking someone to stay calm, to hold still, and to wait, letting matters settle on their own without any ill-timed intervention. It is used insistently, almost as a warning, toward someone who seems to be getting worked up or wanting to act too fast in a situation that instead calls for restraint and steadiness. The register is familiar and direct, often said firmly to calm someone on the verge of a clumsy move caused by excess energy. It shows well how Provençal carries its maritime imagery over into situations having nothing to do with sailing.