French Conversation · Level 36
75 words
French word
saboter
Pronunciation
IPA/sabote/
Meaning
- verbsabotage
Example
Ils ont essayé de saboter la réunion avec de fausses informations.
They tried to sabotage the meeting with false information.
More examples
Elle a voulu saboter le projet en refusant de partager des documents.
She wanted to sabotage the project by refusing to share documents.
Core concept
A deliberate hand jamming the gears of a machine or plan until normal progress breaks down.
Common phrases
saboter une réunion
sabotage a meeting
saboter un projet
sabotage a project
saboter une relation
sabotage a relationship
Similar words
gâcher: Ruin preparations or an event so the expected result is not achieved.
compromettre: Undermine a plan's credibility, safety, or function, putting future success at risk.
perturber: Disrupt the flow or order of a meeting or task, hindering its progress.
empêcher: Directly prevent an action or event from taking place.
Definition in French
Empêcher délibérément le fonctionnement normal de quelque chose, en gênant, endommageant ou faisant échouer son déroulement.
Word origin
The verb saboter comes from French sabot, 'wooden shoe', with the verb ending -er; older uses described rough or clumsy work before the modern sense developed.
Usage tips
- Saboter normally takes a direct object without a preposition, as in saboter la réunion or saboter le fonctionnement d'un appareil.