sur la défaut
sur the defect
直訳: To take in defect
Use it to describe catching a mistake, a lie, or a logical contradiction in a neutral way.
15秒でわかる
- To catch someone making a mistake.
- To find a flaw in logic or a system.
- A neutral way to say 'gotcha' regarding errors.
意味
This phrase is most commonly used as 'prendre en défaut', which means to catch someone making a mistake or to find a flaw in something. It is like catching someone off guard or spotting a 'glitch' in their logic.
主な例文
3 / 6In a business meeting
Le patron a pris le comptable en défaut sur le budget.
The boss caught the accountant out on the budget.
Texting a friend about a movie
J'ai pris le film en défaut : il y a une erreur de script !
I caught the movie out: there is a script error!
In a courtroom or debate
L'avocat a pris le témoin en défaut.
The lawyer caught the witness in a contradiction.
文化的背景
The concept of 'défaut' is central to French intellectualism, stemming from Enlightenment values of reason. Finding a 'défaut' in an argument is a respected skill in French debating circles. While 'défaut' means 'defect,' it also refers to a person's character flaws, making the phrase versatile for both logic and personality.
Gender Matters
Always remember that `défaut` is masculine. Even though it ends in 't', it is `le défaut`. Saying 'la défaut' is a common giveaway that you are a beginner!
Don't be a Bully
Using this phrase too much in a meeting can make you sound like you are looking for trouble. Use it sparingly to keep your work relationships healthy.
15秒でわかる
- To catch someone making a mistake.
- To find a flaw in logic or a system.
- A neutral way to say 'gotcha' regarding errors.
What It Means
This expression is all about the 'gotcha' moment. It means you have found a weakness or a mistake. You might catch a friend in a lie. You might find a bug in a computer program. It is the act of spotting where something is not perfect. It is very common in intellectual discussions or when checking work.
How To Use It
You usually use the verb prendre (to take) with it. You say prendre quelqu'un en défaut. This means 'to catch someone out.' You can also use it for objects or systems. If a machine fails, you have found its défaut. Just remember that défaut is masculine, so we use le or en.
When To Use It
Use it when you are proofreading a document. Use it during a friendly debate when your opponent contradicts themselves. It is great for texting a friend who forgot a detail. It works well in professional meetings to point out a risk. It is a sharp, precise way to describe finding an error.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical accidents. If someone trips over a rug, do not use prendre en défaut. That is just a clumsy moment. Also, avoid using it in very sensitive or tragic situations. It can sound a bit like you are winning a game. Use it for logic, rules, and facts instead.
Cultural Background
French culture places a high value on la logique (logic) and la précision (precision). In school, French students are taught to look for contradictions. Catching a logical flaw is seen as a sign of intelligence. It is not always seen as rude. Often, it is just part of a healthy, rigorous discussion. It shows you are paying close attention.
Common Variations
You will often hear être en défaut. This means to be at fault or to be lacking something. Another common one is à défaut de. This means 'in the absence of' or 'failing that.' For example, à défaut de pain, nous mangerons des biscuits. These all revolve around the idea of something missing or being wrong.
使い方のコツ
The phrase is neutral and very versatile. Just be careful with the preposition 'en' and the masculine gender of 'défaut'.
Gender Matters
Always remember that `défaut` is masculine. Even though it ends in 't', it is `le défaut`. Saying 'la défaut' is a common giveaway that you are a beginner!
Don't be a Bully
Using this phrase too much in a meeting can make you sound like you are looking for trouble. Use it sparingly to keep your work relationships healthy.
The French Debate
In France, being 'pris en défaut' in a political debate is often the end of a career. Precision in speech is a sign of power!
例文
6Le patron a pris le comptable en défaut sur le budget.
The boss caught the accountant out on the budget.
Used here to show a professional correction of data.
J'ai pris le film en défaut : il y a une erreur de script !
I caught the movie out: there is a script error!
Casual use for spotting a 'movie mistake'.
L'avocat a pris le témoin en défaut.
The lawyer caught the witness in a contradiction.
Formal use for proving someone lied or forgot.
Je t'ai pris en défaut ! Tu as mangé tout le chocolat !
Caught you! You ate all the chocolate!
Playful use for catching someone doing something 'wrong'.
Il cherche toujours à me prendre en défaut.
He is always trying to catch me making a mistake.
Describes a person who is overly critical.
On a essayé de prendre le logiciel en défaut toute la journée.
We tried to find a flaw in the software all day.
Technical use for stress-testing something.
自分をテスト
Complete the sentence to say 'I caught him out.'
Je l'ai pris ___ défaut.
The standard idiomatic construction is 'prendre quelqu'un en défaut'.
Which word is the correct gender for 'défaut'?
C'est ___ défaut de ce plan.
Défaut is a masculine noun in French.
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Formality of 'Prendre en défaut'
Catching a friend in a small lie.
Je t'ai eu !
Standard use in office or school.
Prendre en défaut.
Legal or academic critique.
Mettre en évidence une faille.
When to use 'Prendre en défaut'
Software Testing
Finding a bug.
Family Argument
Catching a white lie.
School
Finding an error in a book.
Work
Spotting a math error.
よくある質問
10 問No, it is grammatically incorrect. You should use le défaut (masculine) and the idiom is usually prendre en défaut.
Yes, you can say the car has a défaut de fabrication (manufacturing defect), but prendre en défaut is more for catching a mistake.
Close, but not quite. 'Red-handed' is la main dans le sac. Prendre en défaut is more about finding a mistake or a lie.
It depends on the tone. If you say Je vous ai pris en défaut, it might be too aggressive. Try Il y a une petite erreur instead.
It means 'for lack of' or 'instead of'. For example: À défaut de vin, nous boirons de l'eau (For lack of wine, we will drink water).
Yes! You can prendre une défense en défaut, meaning you found a gap in the opponent's defense.
Yes, they share the same root. In French, it mostly means a flaw, a mistake, or a lack of something.
You would use the passive voice: J'ai été pris en défaut.
Not exactly, but you might hear se faire griller which means to get caught doing something sneaky.
Yes, a person's défauts are their character flaws, like being lazy or impatient.
関連フレーズ
Prendre la main dans le sac
To catch red-handed.
À défaut de
In the absence of / Failing that.
Faire défaut
To be missing or lacking.
Un vice de forme
A technicality or procedural flaw.
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