In Lieu Of – Meaning, Origin and Usage

Ever wondered what "in lieu of" really means? It’s often used to indicate "in place of." Once you understand the definition and how to use it correctly, you'll be a pro at using this phrase in your writing. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.

Meaning

The phrase "in lieu of" means "in place of," "instead of," or "as an alternative to." It can be used to describe a substitution or an exchange. For example, you might say, "I'm going to use my vacation days in lieu of taking a sick day." This means you're using your vacation days instead of taking a sick day.

The phrase can also describe a situation in which something is given or done as an alternative to something else. For example, you might say, "The company is offering employees the option to work from home in lieu of coming into the office." It means that the company is giving employees the option to work from home instead of coming into the office.

Example Usage

The phrase "in lieu of" is often used in everyday speech and writing. Here are a few examples of how you might use it:

  • "I'm going to have a salad in lieu of a sandwich for lunch."
  • "In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the American Cancer Society."
  • "The company is offering its employees a five-day vacation in lieu of a raise this year."
  • "I'm going to have to cancel our date tonight. I have to work in lieu of my sick coworker."

Origin

The phrase "in lieu of" is derived from the French word "lieu" or "liu” which means "place." It first started being used in English in the early 13th century. The phrase "in lieu of" originally meant "in the place of." Over time, the phrase's meaning changed slightly and came to mean "instead of." This is the meaning that is most commonly used today. The French word" Lieu" itself is derived from "locus," which is the Latin word for "place."

Phrases Similar To In Lieu Of

  • "To fill the void" - means to take the place of something missing.
  • "As a replacement for" - means to take the place of something that is no longer there.
  • "To make up for" - means to try to improve a situation by doing something good.
  • "Substitute" - means to take the place of something.
  • "Substitution" - again, means to take the place of something.

Phrases Opposite To In Lieu Of

A few phrases also have opposite meanings to "in lieu of." These include:

  • "In spite of" - means despite something.
  • "In the face of" - means when confronted with something.
  • "Contrary to" - means the opposite.
  • "Regardless" - means without considering something.

What Is The Correct Saying?

The correct saying is "in lieu of."

Ways People May Incorrectly Say In Lieu Of

People may incorrectly say "in lieu of" as "In light of" This phrase means "because of." You might see it used in the following sentence:

"In light of the coronavirus pandemic, we have decided to cancel our trip." "In lieu of" would not be used in this sentence because it does not mean the same thing.

Acceptable Ways To Phrase In Lieu Of

"In Lieu of" is primarily used in formal settings. It would be more common to see it used in writing than everyday speech. If you want to use a phrase with a similar meaning in everyday speech, you could try "instead of."

  • I really think we should use a different service in lieu of the unreliable one we have right now.
  • It is a good idea to use professional speech during the meeting in lieu of informal or casual language.
  • In lieu of sending me a Zelle payment, please pay my formal invoice via a paper check.

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