In 15 Seconds
- To intentionally conceal a mistake or error from others.
- Used in work, school, and personal life for secret blunders.
- Combines 'cacher' (to hide) with 'faute' (mistake/fault).
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of trying to keep a slip-up or an error secret so that others don't notice it. It is like sweeping a mess under the rug to avoid getting into trouble or feeling embarrassed.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a colleague
Il a essayé de cacher une faute dans le budget.
He tried to hide a mistake in the budget.
Texting a friend about a spill
J'ai fait une tache sur son tapis, je vais la cacher !
I made a stain on his rug, I'm going to hide it!
A teacher noticing a student's work
Ne cache pas tes fautes, utilise une gomme.
Don't hide your mistakes, use an eraser.
Cultural Background
Professionalism is highly valued; hiding mistakes is seen as a lack of integrity. Similar to France, but slightly more informal in workplace communication. Very similar to French norms. High emphasis on precision; errors are expected to be reported immediately.
Gender check
Remember 'faute' is feminine (une faute).
In 15 Seconds
- To intentionally conceal a mistake or error from others.
- Used in work, school, and personal life for secret blunders.
- Combines 'cacher' (to hide) with 'faute' (mistake/fault).
What It Means
Cacher une faute is a very common way to say you are concealing a blunder. It implies a bit of secrecy. You know you did something wrong. You don't want anyone else to find out. It could be a small typo. It could be a big project error. The word cacher means to hide. The word faute means a mistake or a fault. Together, they describe that nervous moment of covering your tracks.
How To Use It
You use this phrase just like a normal verb. You can say je cache, tu caches, or il a caché. It is often paired with words like essayer de (to try to) or vouloir (to want to). For example, Il a essayé de cacher une faute. It sounds natural and direct. You don't need fancy grammar to make this work. Just remember that faute is feminine, so use une or la.
When To Use It
Use this in any situation where someone is being a bit sneaky about an error. It works perfectly at the office. Use it when talking about a colleague who messed up a spreadsheet. It works at school when a student uses too much white-out. You can even use it at home. Maybe you broke a plate and hid the pieces? That is cacher une faute. It is a very versatile phrase for everyday life.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for accidents that aren't "mistakes" in a moral or technical sense. If you are hiding a physical object like a gift, just use cacher le cadeau. Also, if the mistake is purely accidental and you aren't trying to be sneaky, faire une erreur is better. Cacher implies you are intentionally keeping it a secret. If you are in a very high-level legal setting, you might use dissimuler instead of cacher for a more professional tone.
Cultural Background
In France, the education system is quite strict about les fautes. From a young age, children are graded heavily on spelling mistakes in la dictée. Because of this, the idea of a faute carries a bit of weight. It feels like a breach of rules. Hiding one is a common human reflex to avoid the sharp red pen of a teacher or a boss. It’s a relatable struggle for anyone who has lived through the French school system!
Common Variations
You might hear camoufler une erreur, which is a bit more descriptive. It’s like using camouflage. Another one is étouffer l'affaire, which means to "smother the affair" or hush it up. If you want to be more formal, use dissimuler un manquement. But for your daily coffee chats, cacher une faute is the gold standard. It’s simple, clear, and everyone understands the feeling.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral phrase suitable for almost any context. Be aware that 'faute' carries a slight weight of responsibility, so using it suggests the person knows they are in the wrong.
Gender check
Remember 'faute' is feminine (une faute).
Examples
6Il a essayé de cacher une faute dans le budget.
He tried to hide a mistake in the budget.
A classic professional context for this phrase.
J'ai fait une tache sur son tapis, je vais la cacher !
I made a stain on his rug, I'm going to hide it!
Using 'la' to refer back to the mistake/stain.
Ne cache pas tes fautes, utilise une gomme.
Don't hide your mistakes, use an eraser.
Direct advice in a learning environment.
Mon chat a caché sa faute en s'asseyant sur le vase cassé.
My cat hid his mistake by sitting on the broken vase.
Applying the phrase to a funny pet situation.
Je ne veux jamais te cacher une faute.
I never want to hide a mistake from you.
Expressing emotional honesty.
Cacher une faute grave peut mener au licenciement.
Hiding a serious mistake can lead to dismissal.
A serious warning about workplace ethics.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
Il a essayé de _______ dans son rapport.
'Faute' is feminine, so it takes 'une'.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
1 exercisesIl a essayé de _______ dans son rapport.
'Faute' is feminine, so it takes 'une'.
🎉 Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsNo, use 'cacher un secret'.
Related Phrases
Avouer une faute
contrastTo admit a mistake
