CDS question

[CEO10K-DAY]

If you’re BEARISH (aka, anticipating the underlying bond to fall in price/default), why would you want to SHORT a CDS?

This is very counterintuitive when you start thinking of the payoffs.

[125mph]

If you’re anticipating a default, you would buy default protection…If you sell protection, you will get crushed when default happens.

You short a CDS means you’re buying protection.

[CEO10K-DAY]

@125mph

If you’re anticipating a default, you would buy default protection…If you sell protection, you will get crushed when default happens.

You short a CDS means you’re buying protection.

so I’m just getting caught up on the vernacular?