English

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Etymology

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From Middle English in liue of, a partial calque of Old French au leu de (modern French au lieu de).

Pronunciation

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  • Audio (US):(file)

Preposition

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in lieu of

  1. Instead of; in place of.
    They gave him a cash award, in lieu of the promised prize package.
  2. (proscribed) In light of.
    In lieu of recent events, more caution is needed.

Usage notes

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  • Using it to mean in light of is etymologically incorrect (it is literally in place of), and thus considered an error.[1]

Translations

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References

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