Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
sauve-qui-peut
Phrase
/sov kee puh/
Definition
A French phrase that translates to ‘save who can’ in English, often used to describe a situation where everyone is trying to escape from danger or is in a panic.
Examples
- During the sudden storm, it became a sauve-qui-peut as people rushed to find shelter.
- The announcement of layoffs led to a sauve-qui-peut atmosphere in the office.
Meaning
The term suggests a chaotic or urgent situation where individuals are primarily focused on their own survival, often at the expense of others.
Synonyms
- Every man for himself
- Self-preservation
