Au contraire

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Grammarist

In French, au contraire means, literally, on the contrary, and that’s exactly what this loan phrase means in English. It’s often used to mean, roughly, I beg to differ, and it usually creates a humorous or sarcastic tone.

Au contraire is occasionally misspelled oh contraire. But because au contraire is an informal phrase in English, the misspelling is not a huge error.

Examples

Hairless is the norm with women? Au contraire, sir. [Salon]

But his insecurities did not hold him back. Au contraire! They propelled him into the spotlight. [Telegraph]

Many people assume that when they reach age 65 and sign up for Medicare, they will be taken care of … Au contraire! Medicare is not free. [Dunwoody Crier]

Did anyone take umbrage at my audaciously superficial questions? Au contraire! The demonstrators were only too happy to talk about their sad rags and their glad rags. [Slate]