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détromper

disabuse

verb deh-trohn-PEH Rare
Communication Speech

Origin: From dé- + tromper 'to deceive'

Also means

set straight

Usage Note

Détromper means to correct someone who holds a false belief, essentially 'to undeceive'. The reflexive détrompez-vous ('don't be fooled', 'think again') is a very common idiomatic expression used to contradict an assumption. It is more pointed than simply corriger (to correct).

Examples

"Détrompez-vous, ce n'est pas si simple."

Natural Translation

Don't be mistaken, it's not that simple.

Literal Translation

Disabuse yourself, it is not so simple.

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