Sue meaning in English

Learn how to use Sue correctly with Gymglish.
Test and improve your English. Start your free trial today.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,7 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot More than 8 million learners worldwide

Definition

to sue (someone): to take legal action, to start legal proceedings (against someone) for harm they caused you verb
Sue is also a nickname for woman named Susan. Johnny Cash also wrote a classic song entitled "A boy named Sue".
I'm suing her for custody of the children. I'm taking legal action because I want the kids to live with me.

UK: They're likely to sue you if you print that article.
US: I printed the article, and then they sued me.

Examples

  • "We are going to sue you like you've never been sued before!"
  • "This can become a serious problem when we consider that candidates may have legal grounds to sue the company who interviewed them for compensation due to discrimination."
  • "Sounds like you've really done your homework here Sue."
  • "We are going to sue you like you've never been sued before!"
  • "Perhaps you can let Edward know - maybe he's interested in suing his parents."
  • "I'm confident that if we sue the supermarket for causing your accident, the compensation could be millions!"
  • "Nowadays, the possibility of suing or being sued is, or should be, at the forefront of every Human Resources Manager's mind."
  • "PS: You'll all need to sign waivers agreeing not to sue if you get hurt or die."
  • "A lawsuit sounds good, Saul, but who can I sue?"
  • "Please do not sue me."
  • "Nowadays, the possibility of suing or being sued is, or should be, at the forefront of every Human Resources Manager's mind."
  • "Luna : Do you still want to sue him?"
  • "My mom says she wants me to sue the restaurant management."
  • "Icarus : But I took a day off of work, and I was ready to sue the supermarket for damages!"
  • "Glenfiddich : Well your perfume has made me turn blue, and my lawyer has advised me to sue!"
Exercise 1
Mr. MacGregor's lawyer has advised him to .
Mr. MacGregor's lawyer has advised him to take Delavigne to court.
take Delavigne to court: Mr. MacGregor says "my lawyer has advised me to sue". To "sue" someone is to engage in a legal suit against someone. This usually involves going to a court of law where the dispute is settled or resolved by a judge.
call the Delavigne Corporation: Mr. MacGregor's lawyer has advised Mr. MacGregor "to sue". This idea is unrelated to calling the company. To "sue" someone is to engage in a legal process with them, usually in the pursuit of a financial award.
seek medical assistance: Mr. MacGregor's lawyer has advised Mr. MacGregor "to sue". This idea is unrelated to "seeking medical help". To "sue" someone is to engage in a legal process with them.
get angry: Mr. MacGregor's lawyer has advised Mr. MacGregor "to sue" which shares no similarity with "getting angry". To "sue" someone is to engage in a legal process with someone.
Exercise 2
True or False? Luna and Susie eventually decide to take legal action against Philip.
True or False? Luna and Susie eventually decide to take legal action against Philip.
This statement is not true.
This statement is false. Although at one point in this conversation Luna agrees that Philip should be "sued" (or taken to court for legal proceedings), she and Susie eventually decide that Philip shouldn't be sued. This conversation concludes with Susie saying, "let's see how this plays out", meaning she wants to wait before taking any legal action.
Exercise 3
According to what Frederick F. Fielding says at the end of the dialogue, Brian might be needing:
According to what Frederick F. Fielding says at the end of the dialogue, Brian might be needing:
This is not correct. If Frederick F. Fielding gets violent, Brian might need a policeman to protect him. However there is no indication of this in the dialogue!
This is correct. At the end of the scene, the man who is kidnapped by mistake, Frederick F. Fielding, says "I'm going to sue you for everything you've got!". "To sue" means to start a law case against someone usually in order to receive financial compensation. "Lawyers" represent clients in court, as well as providing them with legal advice. If Frederick F. Fielding decides to start legal proceedings, Brian will probably need a lawyer to represent him.
This is incorrect. If Frederick F. Fielding gets violent, Brian might need a doctor. However there is no indication of this in the dialogue!
This is incorrect. A singer is someone who uses their voice to produce songs and melodies. This might help Brian feel better if things turn nasty, however there is no mention of a singer in the dialogue!
Exercise 4
Let's look at some legal terms that were used in the dialogue.

This verb means to "start legal proceedings" or "take someone to court". "The Delavigne Corporation is going to Kalvin Krime for stealing its perfume secrets."

This term describes the money paid in compensation for injury or loss. "The judge ordered Kalvin Krime to pay $10,000 in for industrial espionage."
Let's look at some legal terms that were used in the dialogue.

This verb means to "start legal proceedings" or "take someone to court". "The Delavigne Corporation is going to sue 1 Kalvin Krime for stealing its perfume secrets."

This term describes the money paid in compensation for injury or loss. "The judge ordered Kalvin Krime to pay $10,000 in damages 2 for industrial espionage."
1 sue: To "sue" someone is to engage in a legal suit against someone. This usually involves going to a court of law where the dispute is settled or resolved by a judge. In the dialogue, Icarus says "I'm confident that if we sue the supermarket for causing your accident, the compensation could be millions!"
2 damages: In the dialogue Icarus says to his mother "I was ready to sue the supermarket for damages", this means that he was prepared to take the supermarket to court, so that he (and his mother) could receive compensation money. Note that when it refers to compensation, "damages" is always spelled in the plural.
Exercise 5
Select the TRUE statements from the list below, according to the letter.

There may be more than one correct answer!
Select the TRUE statements from the list below, according to the letter.

There may be more than one correct answer!
This statement is true. In the final paragraph of his letter, Kyle Krabb writes "there will be no need to take legal action against our restaurant, since I have myself begun proceedings against the terrorists in question". Kyle describes the environmental extremists who put Anthrax on Icarus' tuna as "terrorists". "To sue" is to bring legal proceedings against someone who has done you harm.
This statement is false. Mr Krabb writes that Icarus' illness "was not a question of hygiene in the kitchen, nor of out-of-date tuna.". This "not...nor" construction describes two things which are false. Food is "out-of-date" when it has expired or is too old to be safe to eat.
This is a true statement. Mr Krabb writes "I have included restaurant vouchers to the value of $300". The term "voucher" shares a similar meaning with "coupon" and describes a document which has a set value and can be exchanged for goods. Example: "My brother gave me a £30 voucher for my favourite record shop for my birthday".
That's not very likely, now, is it? Even in this day and age where terrorists are everywhere, Icarus is unlikely to be mistaken for one. Moreover, there is no evidence in the text to support this.

Still unsure of the best way to use 'Sue'? Improve your English thanks to our online English lessons. We offer a free test as well as a free level assessment!

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online English lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my English. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Test your English with Gymglish today and get a free level assessment

Absolutely free - no strings attached.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH