П-133

ПУСКАТЬ/ПУСТИТЬ (ДАВАТЬ/ДАТЬ) ПЕТУХА coll VP subj: human or голос ( var. with давать/дать only) more often pfv ) having strained one's vocal cords on a high note (while singing, shouting, or speaking in a high voice), to emit a squeaking sound

X пустил петуха = X's voice broke (cracked)

X let out a squeak.

...На более высокой и пронзительной ноте брала она следующий куплет песни, и казалось, сейчас сорвётся и даст петуха, но не срывалась (Войнович 4). ... At the highest and most piercing note she began the second couplet of the song and it seemed that any moment her voice would catch and break, but it did not (4a).