présumer les consigne
to présumer the consigne
Wörtlich: To presume the instructions
Use this when someone acts on a guess instead of waiting for official instructions.
In 15 Sekunden
- Acting on assumed rules without confirmation.
- Common in professional or structured environments.
- Often implies a mistake made by being too eager.
Bedeutung
Acting or making decisions based on what you think the rules or instructions are, rather than waiting to be told or checking the facts.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6In a professional meeting
Il ne faut pas présumer les consignes du client avant le briefing.
We must not assume the client's instructions before the briefing.
Texting a friend about a party
N'y va pas en costume, ne présume pas les consignes !
Don't go in a suit, don't assume the dress code!
A teacher talking to a student
Tu as présumé les consignes de l'examen et tu as raté l'exercice.
You assumed the exam instructions and missed the exercise.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In French administration and military history, 'la consigne' is sacred. Following instructions to the letter is often seen as a sign of professional discipline. This phrase highlights the tension between the French 'système D' (resourcefulness) and the rigid 'administration' where assuming the rules can lead to trouble.
The 'Ask First' Rule
In France, it is often better to ask 'Quelles sont les consignes ?' than to guess. Initiative is liked, but respect for the process is liked more!
Grammar Check
While 'présumer les consignes' is common, you might also hear 'présumer des consignes'. Both are understood, but the direct version is punchier in conversation.
In 15 Sekunden
- Acting on assumed rules without confirmation.
- Common in professional or structured environments.
- Often implies a mistake made by being too eager.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a new job. Your boss hasn't spoken yet. You start filing papers anyway. You are présumer les consignes. You are guessing what is expected of you. It is a mix of initiative and risk. Sometimes it works out perfectly. Often, it leads to a massive mess. It is essentially acting on assumptions. You aren't being lazy. You are just being too fast for the rules.
How To Use It
You use this phrase with a direct object. You say présumer les consignes. It sounds a bit serious and professional. It implies a certain lack of patience. Or perhaps a lack of clear communication. You can use it as a gentle warning. "Don't guess, just ask!" is the core vibe here. It fits perfectly in professional or structured settings.
When To Use It
Use it when a colleague starts a project too early. Use it when a friend ignores the IKEA manual. It is perfect for those "oops" moments. If someone says "I thought you wanted this," you reply. "You shouldn't have présumer les consignes." It is very common in corporate France. Use it when someone skips the briefing. It works well when someone assumes the dress code.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for general feelings or emotions. If you think someone is sad, don't use this. It is strictly for instructions, rules, or orders. Don't use it in very slangy settings. It might sound too "stiff" for a nightclub. Stick to tasks, procedures, and specific directions. Avoid it if the situation is totally informal.
Cultural Background
France has a deep respect for hierarchy and rules. "La consigne" is the backbone of the entire system. From the SNCF trains to the local Mairie, rules matter. To "presume" them is almost a rebellious act. It suggests you think you know better than the system. It is a very French, Cartesian struggle. You are balancing individual logic against collective order.
Common Variations
You might hear anticiper les attentes. That is the polite, corporate version. If you want to be casual, say faire à sa sauce. That means doing it your own way. Brûler les étapes is another good one. It means skipping steps in a process. Prendre les devants is the positive version of this.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is most effective in professional or instructional settings. Be careful not to sound too accusatory; it can imply that someone is being 'too smart for their own good'.
The 'Ask First' Rule
In France, it is often better to ask 'Quelles sont les consignes ?' than to guess. Initiative is liked, but respect for the process is liked more!
Grammar Check
While 'présumer les consignes' is common, you might also hear 'présumer des consignes'. Both are understood, but the direct version is punchier in conversation.
The Power of 'La Consigne'
The word 'consigne' also means a luggage locker. If you 'présume les consignes' at a train station, you might end up looking for a locker that doesn't exist!
Beispiele
6Il ne faut pas présumer les consignes du client avant le briefing.
We must not assume the client's instructions before the briefing.
A professional reminder to wait for facts.
N'y va pas en costume, ne présume pas les consignes !
Don't go in a suit, don't assume the dress code!
Warning a friend not to overdress based on a guess.
Tu as présumé les consignes de l'examen et tu as raté l'exercice.
You assumed the exam instructions and missed the exercise.
Explaining why a mistake happened in an academic context.
J'ai présumé les consignes de la recette : j'ai mis du sel au lieu du sucre.
I assumed the recipe instructions: I put in salt instead of sugar.
Self-deprecating humor about a cooking fail.
Tu ne peux pas simplement présumer les consignes de sécurité !
You can't just assume the safety instructions!
Expressing frustration over a dangerous assumption.
Si tu as un doute, demande, ne présume jamais les consignes.
If you're in doubt, ask; never assume the instructions.
Friendly advice for someone starting a new role.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence to warn a colleague about a project.
Attention, il vaut mieux attendre le mail plutôt que de ___ les consignes.
The context of 'waiting for an email' implies you shouldn't guess or 'presume' the rules.
Choose the correct noun to complete the phrase.
En présumant les ___, il a fait une erreur de débutant.
The phrase 'présumer les consignes' is the standard collocation for assuming instructions.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Presuming Instructions'
Faire à sa sauce (Doing it your way)
Je fais à ma sauce.
Présumer les consignes
Il a présumé les consignes.
Anticiper les directives
Nous avons anticipé les directives.
When to use 'Présumer les consignes'
Office Project
Starting a report before the meeting.
Cooking
Adding ingredients without reading the recipe.
Sports
Starting a drill before the coach blows the whistle.
DIY
Building furniture without the manual.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenIt means acting on what you think the rules are without actually checking them first. It's like guessing the game rules while you're already playing.
Usually, no. It implies you're being a bit reckless or impatient. It's better to wait for les consignes than to guess wrong.
Yes, especially if they are doing something without reading the instructions. For example: N'essaie pas de présumer les consignes du jeu !
It's quite neutral. You can use it in an office (contexte professionnel) or with family without sounding weird.
Supposer is just thinking something might be true. Présumer often implies taking action based on that thought.
Yes, using it for people's feelings. You don't 'présumer' someone's sadness; you 'présumer' a rule or a fact.
Absolutely. If a player starts running before the whistle, they might have présumé les consignes of the play.
Not at all. It is used every day in French offices and schools. It's a very modern, practical phrase.
Not really, but in some regions, people might just say il a fait ça au pif, which is a much more slangy way of saying 'by guesswork'.
You can say Ne fais pas de suppositions or, more specifically for rules, Ne présume pas les consignes.
Yes, présumer is a big legal word (like 'innocent until proven guilty'), but présumer les consignes is more for everyday rules.
The opposite would be suivre les consignes à la lettre, which means following the instructions exactly.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Suivre à la lettre
To follow instructions exactly as written.
Prendre les devants
To take the initiative (usually positive).
Brûler les étapes
To skip steps or rush through a process.
Faire au pif
To do something by guesswork/randomly (slang).
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