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French Expression
| Meaning | to change tack, course, direction | |
| Register | normal | |
| Pronunciation |  |
[sha(n) zhay deuh kahp] |
| IPA | [ʃã ʒe də kap] | |
Usage notes: The French expression changer de cap means "to change course, alter direction" both literally and figuratively. Le cap means "tack" or "heading," as in the direction of a ship or plane, so the original expression is from navigation.*
Figuratively, le cap can be any sort of objective (personal, professional, strategic), so changer de cap means "to change one’s direction / goal."
Par exemple…
| Après avoir étudié la crise, le groupe a décidé de changer de cap. | After having studied the crisis, the group decided to change course / strategy. | |
| Mon diplôme n’a aucune valeur, je dois changer de cap. | My diploma is worthless, I need to change direction / try something new. |
* As are its antonyms tenir son cap and maintenir le cap.
Literally: to maintain direction, keep heading in the same direction.
Figuratively: to stick with, continue working toward an objective, to maintain a strategy.
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