plead

supplier, implorer

Demander quelque chose avec insistance, souvent parce qu’on est bouleversé ou désespéré.

En anglais simple : To ask for something very strongly, often because you are upset or desperate.

• He pleaded for help.
• She pleaded with her parents to let her go.
• Please don't leave, he pleaded.

Comment l'utiliser : plead for something (The prisoners pleaded for mercy.); plead with someone to do something (She pleaded with him to stay.)

Synonymes : beg, implore, beseech

Expressions courantes : plead for mercy, plead with someone, plead for help

plaider

Déclarer officiellement devant un tribunal si l’on reconnaît ou nie une accusation pénale.

En anglais simple : To tell a court formally whether you accept or deny a criminal charge.

• He pleaded guilty.
• She will plead not guilty to the charge.
• How did the defendant plead?

Comment l'utiliser : plead guilty to something (He pleaded guilty to theft.); plead not guilty to something (She pleaded not guilty to all charges.)

Expressions courantes : plead guilty, plead not guilty, plead to something

plaider, défendre

Présenter des arguments en faveur d’une personne, d’une demande ou d’une affaire judiciaire.

En anglais simple : To present arguments supporting a person, request, or legal case.

• The lawyer pleaded his case.
• She pleaded the children's cause before the council.
• He has pleaded many difficult cases in this court.

Comment l'utiliser : plead someone's case (The lawyer pleaded her client's case before the judge.); plead for someone/something (She pleaded for the workers before the committee.)

Synonymes : argue, advocate

Expressions courantes : plead a case, plead someone's cause, plead for someone

invoquer, prétexter

Donner une raison précise pour excuser ce qu’on a fait ou ce qu’on ne peut pas faire.

En anglais simple : To give a particular reason as an excuse for what you did or cannot do.

• She pleaded ignorance of the rules.
• He pleaded illness and stayed home.
• You cannot plead poverty after buying that expensive car.

Comment l'utiliser : plead something as an excuse (He pleaded illness as an excuse for his absence.)

Synonymes : cite, claim

Expressions courantes : plead ignorance, plead illness, plead poverty