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abandonner ses responsabilités
/a.bɑ̃.dɔ.ne se ʁe.sɔ̃.sa.bi.li.te/
to shirk one's responsibilities
Il a abandonné ses responsabilités familiales après son divorce.
He shirked his family responsibilities after his divorce.
formal
To fail or refuse to fulfill one's duties or obligations.
Le manager a abandonné ses responsabilités en ne supervisant pas le projet.
The manager shirked his responsibilities by not overseeing the project.
Elle a abandonné ses responsabilités parentales après avoir obtenu la garde.
She shirked her parental responsibilities after gaining custody.
Often implies neglect or deliberate avoidance of duty.
Collocations
abandonner ses responsabilités professionnellesto shirk one's professional dutiesabandonner ses responsabilités légalesto neglect one's legal obligationsabandonner ses responsabilités moralesto shirk one's moral duties
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Contexts
This phrase is frequently used in legal, managerial, or familial contexts to describe someone who avoids their duties. For example, a parent who stops caring for their child or a manager who ignores their team's needs.
Gold Rule
Avoiding vs. Delegating
Abandonner ses responsabilités implies a complete failure to meet obligations, whereas delegating responsibilities is a deliberate act of assigning tasks to others.
Word Origin
From 'abandonner' (to abandon) + 'responsabilités' (responsibilities). 'Abandonner' comes from Old French 'abandoner' (to give up control), derived from 'à' (to) + 'ban' (proclamation, decree). 'Responsabilités' derives from Latin 'responsabilis' (answerable).
Usage Notes
This phrase is used in both personal and professional contexts to describe the act of failing to meet one's obligations. It carries a negative connotation, implying negligence or irresponsibility.
Word Breakdown
abandonner
to abandon, to give up
verbses responsabilités
one's responsibilities
noun phraseDictionnaire Français-Anglais