C1 verb Informel

armchair

/ˈɑːrm.tʃer/

To critique, analyze, or offer opinions on a situation or subject without having any first-hand experience or practical involvement. It implies a detached, theoretical perspective often used to describe someone providing unsolicited advice from a position of comfort.

Exemples

3 sur 5
1

He likes to armchair the team's tactics from his living room every Sunday.

He enjoys critiquing the team's strategies from his home without being involved in the game.

2

The board members were accused of armchairing the field operations without visiting the actual site.

The board was criticized for managing the field work theoretically without seeing the location.

3

Stop armchairing my life choices when you've never been in my shoes.

Quit giving me theoretical advice on my life when you don't have my experience.

Famille de mots

Nom
armchair
Verb
armchair
Adjectif
armchair
Apparenté
armchair critic
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Astuce mémo

Think of a sports fan sitting in a cozy armchair, shouting at the TV telling professional athletes what to do—he is 'armchairing' the game.

Quiz rapide

Instead of helping with the crisis, he sat back and tried to ____ the entire operation from his computer.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : armchair

Exemples

1

He likes to armchair the team's tactics from his living room every Sunday.

everyday

He enjoys critiquing the team's strategies from his home without being involved in the game.

2

The board members were accused of armchairing the field operations without visiting the actual site.

formal

The board was criticized for managing the field work theoretically without seeing the location.

3

Stop armchairing my life choices when you've never been in my shoes.

informal

Quit giving me theoretical advice on my life when you don't have my experience.

4

Sociologists argue that one cannot simply armchair the complexities of urban poverty from a university office.

academic

Scholars suggest it is impossible to theoretically analyze urban poverty without direct engagement.

5

Management should avoid armchairing the software development process if they don't understand the coding constraints.

business

Leadership should not direct the technical process from a distance if they lack technical knowledge.

Famille de mots

Nom
armchair
Verb
armchair
Adjectif
armchair
Apparenté
armchair critic

Collocations courantes

armchair the situation to analyze a situation from a distance
armchair a strategy to develop a strategy without practical experience
tendency to armchair a habit of theorizing without involvement
armchair from afar to critique something from a great distance
armchair the management to criticize how something is run without helping

Phrases Courantes

armchair critic

A person who offers advice or criticism without having any practical knowledge.

armchair quarterback

Someone who critiques a sports game or a situation as if they were the leader, despite being a spectator.

armchair traveler

Someone who learns about or 'visits' distant places through books or movies rather than traveling.

Souvent confondu avec

armchair vs chair

'To chair' means to lead or preside over a meeting, whereas 'to armchair' means to critique from a distance.

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Notes d'usage

The verb form of 'armchair' is almost always used pejoratively. It suggests that the speaker's or subject's opinion is invalid because it lacks the grit and reality of actual experience.

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Erreurs courantes

Learners often use the noun 'armchair' and forget that it can function as a verb or a modifying adjective to describe a lack of experience. They may also confuse it with simply 'sitting in a chair'.

💡

Astuce mémo

Think of a sports fan sitting in a cozy armchair, shouting at the TV telling professional athletes what to do—he is 'armchairing' the game.

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Origine du mot

Derived from the noun 'armchair' (mid-17th century), the metaphorical usage for 'distance from reality' emerged in the early 19th century regarding 'armchair travelers'.

Modèles grammaticaux

Used as a transitive verb (to armchair something). Frequently used in the gerund form (armchairing).
🌍

Contexte culturel

Reflects a cultural skepticism toward 'experts' who have degrees or opinions but lack 'boots on the ground' experience.

Quiz rapide

Instead of helping with the crisis, he sat back and tried to ____ the entire operation from his computer.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : armchair

Mots lis

complement

A2

A thing that completes or brings to perfection something else. In grammar, it refers to a word or phrase that follows a verb and provides more information about the subject or object.

compound

A2

Describes something that is made of two or more separate parts or elements joined together. It is often used to talk about words, sentences, or chemical substances that have multiple components.

conceive

A2

To form an idea, plan, or concept in the mind. It is also the medical term used to describe when a woman becomes pregnant.

confer

A2

To discuss something with other people in order to reach a decision or exchange ideas. It can also mean to officially give an honor, title, or degree to someone.

conform

A2

To behave according to rules, standards, or what is expected by a group of people. It means to fit in or act in a way that matches others.

consecutive

A2

Following one after another in a continuous series without any breaks. It describes things that happen in a logical order, like numbers (1, 2, 3) or days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).

consistency

A2

Consistency is the quality of always acting or behaving in the same way. it also describes how thick or smooth a liquid or substance is.

disclude

B1

Describing a state where someone or something is left out, omitted, or not allowed to participate in a group or activity. It refers to the condition of being kept apart from a whole or a set.

antiformous

B1

Describes a shape or structure that is curved or folded upwards like an arch. It is most often used in geology and geometry to describe a convex surface.

interspect

B1

Describing a person who is thoughtful and focused on their own internal thoughts and feelings. It refers to the act of looking inward to examine one's own emotions and motives rather than focusing on external things.

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