Definition:
The verb "defalcate" means to take money or property that you are supposed to take care of and use it for your own benefit, usually in a dishonest way. This often happens when someone who is trusted with money, like an accountant, steals it.
In legal discussions, "defalcation" may refer to the act of embezzling, and it can also indicate a breach of trust. It is important in understanding cases of financial misconduct.
While "defalcate" primarily refers to embezzlement, it can also imply a failure to fulfill a duty of care over entrusted property.
While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly include "defalcate," you might encounter phrases related to dishonesty in finance, such as "cook the books," which means to falsify financial statements.
To "defalcate" is to use someone else’s money or property for your own purposes in a dishonest way. It is a serious crime often associated with people in positions of trust, like accountants or financial managers.