Confusable pair · C1

Flout or flaunt?

You flout a rule: you break it openly and without shame. You flaunt a possession or a quality: you display it to be admired. The confusion runs one way — people write flaunt the rules — but flouting is about defiance and flaunting is about showing off.

Which word, and why

flout

break a rule openly and deliberately

To defy a law or convention without hiding it.

flout the rules · flout the ban · openly flouted

flaunt

display something to be admired

To show off something you have, in a way others may find distasteful.

flaunt his wealth · flaunt it · flaunt her success

Now use it

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Several operators have openly the new emissions rules.

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Related

B1Fewer or less?When do you use fewer and when do you use less?B2Lay or lie?What is the difference between lay and lie?C1Who or whom?When should you use whom instead of who?B2That or which?When do you use that and when do you use which?

Or take a mixed session across every topic