limiter les dégâts
The English phrase "cut your losses" is expressed in French as limiter les dégâts.
limiter les dégâts is used when a person or organization decides to stop an activity that is losing money or causing problems to prevent the situation from getting worse.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase limiter les dégâts literally translates to "to limit the damage".
How does it change in a sentence?
Because limiter is an infinitive, you must conjugate it to match the subject, for example: Il limite les dégâts (He is cutting his losses).
Did you know?
- The word dégâts is used for both a tiny accident and a catastrophic flood. A French speaker might use limiter les dégâts whether they are cleaning a small spill or managing a national financial crisis.
- In a professional or financial setting, a French speaker might instead use the more formal expression couper court à quelque chose, which literally means 'to cut short' something.
- In high-stakes diplomacy or politics, limiter les dégâts functions as a specific term for 'damage control'. It describes a strategic attempt to save face rather than just a financial decision.
Examples in context
- Nous devrions arrêter les frais pour ne pas aggraver nos pertes.We should cut our losses to avoid worsening our losses.
- Il vaudrait mieux laisser tomber et passer à autre chose.It would be better to cut your losses and move on.
- Je pense que tu devrais arrêter les frais avec cette relation qui ne mène nulle part.I think you should cut your losses in this relationship that is going nowhere.
- Il est temps de limiter les dégâts.It is time to cut your losses.
- On doit limiter les dégâts avant que ça ne s'aggrave.We must cut our losses before things get worse.
- Elle a décidé de limiter les dégâts en vendant ses actions.She decided to cut her losses by selling her shares.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are discussing a failing business project.
- LéaCe projet ne fonctionne pas du tout, Nathan.This project is not working at all, Nathan.
- NathanTu as raison, il faut limiter les dégâts.You are right, we need to cut our losses.
- LéaOn devrait arrêter d'investir immédiatement.We should stop investing immediately.
- NathanJe suis d'accord avec toi, Léa.I agree with you, Léa.
