GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜を差し置いて
Criticizes someone for acting first while setting aside a person with greater priority or status.
Examples
社長を差し置いて、私が決定することはできない。
I cannot make the decision over the president's head.
Words used
子どもを差し置いて、大人だけで決められない。
The adults cannot decide among themselves while disregarding the children.
Words used
先輩を差し置いて新人が挨拶するのは失礼だ。
It is rude for a new employee to give the greeting ahead of a senior colleague.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
を差し置いてfollows someone who should receive due consideration and questions acting while setting that person aside. - Basic usage:
子どもを差し置いて、大人だけで決められない。says that adults cannot decide alone while excluding the children.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- A right to participate as well as rank
社長を差し置いてsets aside a higher-ranking person, whereas子どもを差し置いてsets aside people who should be involved in the decision. The person bypassed is not always older or higher in rank.
- Simple sequence versus a critical assessment
先輩より先に挨拶するdirectly states the order of greetings.先輩を差し置いて挨拶するcan additionally assess the act as disregarding the senior colleague's priority.