To defy something/someone = défier quelque chose / quelqu’un
To rise (up) against / to rebel against = se dresser / se rebeller contre
To stand up against something / someone = lutter contre quelque chose / quelqu’un
To mock < to ridicule < to humiliate someone = se moquer / ridiculiser / humilier quelqu’un
To deceive someone / to fool someone / (informal : to con someone / to take someone in) = tromper, berner quelqu’un
To get involved in / to take part in / to participate in = être impliqué dans, prendre part à, participer à
To contemplate doing something / To plan to do something = envisager de faire quelque chose
To create something out of … = créer quelque chose avec …
To run the risk of = prendre le risque de
To take unnecessary risks = prendre des risques inconsidérés
To put one’s life on the line / to endanger one’s life / to risk one’s life (to …) / to put one’s life at risk = mettre sa vie en danger, risquer sa vie
To grow fond of someone / to take a liking to someone : s’enticher de quelqu’un, prendre quelqu’un en affection
To have / to develop / to find in oneself fatherly feelings towards … = ressentir des sentiments paternels pour
To have mercy (up)on someone / to take pity on someone = prendre pitié de
To spare somebody’s life / to refrain (=abstain) from killing someone / (formal) to forbear to take someone’s life = épargner la vie de quelqu’un
To prove ungrateful / to show ingratitude (=ungratefulness) = se monter ingrat
To do something for one’s own benefit / to do something that only benefits oneself = faire quelque chose dans son seul intérêt