flaw

défaut, faille

Problème ou faiblesse qui diminue la qualité de quelque chose ou l’empêche de fonctionner correctement.

En anglais simple : A problem or weakness that makes something less good or stops it from working properly.

• The plan has a flaw.
• Engineers discovered several flaws in the design.
• Can you spot the flaw in his argument?

Comment l'utiliser : flaw in something (I found a flaw in your plan.)

Synonymes : fault, defect, weakness, imperfection

Expressions courantes : major flaw, design flaw, flaw in something

fissure, fêlure

Fente dans un objet solide qui le fragilise ou diminue sa valeur.

En anglais simple : A crack or gap in a solid object that makes it weaker or less valuable.

• There is a flaw in the glass.
• A tiny flaw in the blade caused it to break.
• The inspection revealed internal flaws in the metal.

Comment l'utiliser : flaw in something (The jeweller noticed a flaw in the stone.)

Synonymes : crack, fissure, fracture

Expressions courantes : flaw in something, tiny flaw, internal flaw

vice, défaut juridique

Erreur dans un document juridique pouvant le rendre invalide ou l’empêcher de produire l’effet prévu.

En anglais simple : An error in a legal document that may stop it from being valid or having its intended effect.

• The contract contains a flaw.
• A flaw in the will led to a court case.
• Lawyers corrected several legal flaws before the document was signed.

Comment l'utiliser : flaw in something (The lawyer identified a flaw in the contract.)

Synonymes : defect, error

Expressions courantes : legal flaw, flaw in something, fatal flaw