French Conversation · Level 167
15 words
French word
déjouer
Pronunciation
IPA/deʒwe/
Meaning
- verbfoil
Example
La police a déjoué le cambriolage.
The police foiled the burglary.
More examples
Le système a déjoué de nombreuses tentatives de fraude.
The system thwarted numerous attempts at fraud.
Core concept
An opponent's strategy loses its effect when an unexpected response blocks it.
Common phrases
déjouer un piège
foil a trap
déjouer les plans de quelqu'un
thwart someone's plans
Similar words
empêcher: Stop an action or event from taking place.
faire échouer: Make a plan or attempt unsuccessful.
contrer: Oppose an action or attack to cancel out its effect.
contrarier: Frustrate someone's wishes or plans by preventing them from succeeding.
Definition in French
Rendre inefficace une action ou une ruse en la contrecarrant, de sorte qu'elle ne produise pas d'effet.
Word origin
Old French desjouer joined des- with jouer; its sense moved from reversing a game or move to defeating a ruse, plan, or attempted action.
Usage tips
- The related form se déjouer can describe a plan that fails, so the reflexive form does not simply mean that someone actively foils it.