donner le change

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to throw hounds off the scent, to divert a pack, to mislead, to keep up appearances, to give a false impression
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/dɔ.ne lə ʃɑ̃ʒ/
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To replace the true trail with a convincing false one.
Practice using donner le change in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • La façade rénovée donne le change, mais le bâtiment se dégrade.
    The renovated facade creates a false impression, but the building is deteriorating.
  • Son calme apparent a donné le change à ses collègues.
    His apparent calm misled his colleagues.
  • Il a raconté une histoire plausible pour donner le change.
    He told a plausible story to throw people off the scent.
  • Le chasseur a vu que la bête avait donné le change aux chiens.
    The hunter saw that the animal had switched the hounds onto another scent.
  • Cette annonce vise à donner le change aux investisseurs.
    That announcement aims to mislead investors.

Similar words

leurrer
tromper son monde
faire illusion
dérouter la meute
brouiller la piste

Meanings

Divert pursuing hounds

hunting
technical
For a hunted animal to direct hounds onto another animal's trail.

Examples

  • Le cerf a donné le change aux chiens en croisant une autre piste.
    The stag threw the hounds off its scent by crossing another trail.
  • L'animal poursuivi tente de donner le change à la meute.
    The hunted animal tries to send the pack after another scent.
  • Le renard a donné le change en passant près d'un autre renard.
    The fox confused the hounds with another trail by passing near another fox.
  • Le chasseur a vu que la bête avait donné le change aux chiens.
    The hunter saw that the animal had switched the hounds onto another scent.
  • La meute a perdu sa proie lorsqu'elle a donné le change.
    The pack lost its prey when it diverted the hounds to a false trail.

Similar words

dérouter la meute
brouiller la piste

Mislead someone

deception
formal
To make someone take an appearance or explanation for the truth.

Examples

  • Son calme apparent a donné le change à ses collègues.
    His apparent calm misled his colleagues.
  • Elle souriait pour donner le change malgré son inquiétude.
    She smiled to keep up appearances despite her worry.
  • Cette annonce vise à donner le change aux investisseurs.
    That announcement aims to mislead investors.
  • Il a raconté une histoire plausible pour donner le change.
    He told a plausible story to throw people off the scent.
  • La façade rénovée donne le change, mais le bâtiment se dégrade.
    The renovated facade creates a false impression, but the building is deteriorating.

Similar words

faire illusion
tromper son monde
leurrer

Etymology

In hunting, change is another animal's trail taken up by the hounds; the diversion became an image for misleading people.

FAQ

What does donner le change mean?

To mislead someone with a false appearance.

What is its hunting sense?

To divert hounds onto another trail.

Can calm behaviour donner le change?

Yes, if it hides distress.

Does change mean money here?

No, it comes from hunting.

Can it be used without an object?

Yes: “Il sourit pour donner le change.”

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