if wishes were horses, beggars would ride; if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle

(literally); (figurative) boutefeu (inciter of quarrels)

plural of ouvre-bouteille

bottle opener

(mechanical engineering) load amplied on a slide joint, parallel to the sliding axis but with a lever arm, so that the resulting torque blocks the system and prevents the sliding. This phenomenon is due to friction, and can be used by purpose, e.g. for an F-clamp or a roller freewheel. Over-centering, over-center locking, more than acceptable edge loading

plural of arc-boutement

(informal, figuratively) to cut one's eyeteeth, to get older and wiser (to gain experience and become worldly-wise)

message in a bottle / desperate cry for help, SOS; hopeless attempt, last-ditch attempt

to be experienced, to have experience with age

(figuratively) quagmire, mare's nest, muddle