short circuit

• Défaut électrique qui se produit lorsque le courant emprunte un chemin non prévu de très faible résistance, entraînant souvent une coupure de courant ou des dommages à l'équipement. S'utilise aussi au sens figuré pour décrire une panne ou une interruption soudaine dans un processus ou un système.

An electrical malfunction that occurs when a current flows along an unintended path with very low resistance, often causing a power failure or damage to equipment. Also used figuratively to describe a sudden failure or interruption in a process or system.

1. Electrical faultB2formal

   An abnormal connection in an electrical circuit that allows current to flow along an unintended path, often causing damage or a power outage.

   court-circuit

   • The fire was caused by a short circuit in the wiring.
   • A short circuit tripped the circuit breaker.
   • He fixed the short circuit by replacing the damaged wire.

2. Mental lapse or confusionB2informal

   A temporary inability to think clearly or process information, often due to stress or fatigue.

   Court-circuit mental

   • I had a short circuit and forgot my own phone number.
   • After working for 12 hours, his brain had a short circuit.
   • She experienced a short circuit during the exam and couldn't remember the formula.