in lieu of
English
Etymology
From French au lieu de, from the classical Latin expression (in) locō, meaning “in place (of)”, consisting of the ablative of locus (“place”), preceded or followed by a genitive, as in “parentis locō esse”, Cicero, Div. in Caecil., 19.61.
Pronunciation
Audio (US): (file)
Preposition
- instead of; in place of
- They gave him a cash award, in lieu of the promised prize package.
- (proscribed) in light of
- In lieu of recent events, more caution is needed.
Usage notes
Using it to mean “in light of” is etymologically incorrect (it is literally “in place of”), and thus considered an error.[1]
Translations
instead; in place of; as a substitute for
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References
- ^ Grammar gripes: 'In lieu of' vs. 'in light of', 2012-11-21