abuse of confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abuse of confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has violated trust or misused someone's trust for personal gain or harm. Example: "The manager's actions were seen as an abuse of confidence, leading to a loss of trust among the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It's such an abuse of confidence," he added.

The New York Times

Metzner called for him to be acquitted on charges of abuse of confidence, computer hacking and falsification of records.

The Guardian

But after a long investigation the Belgian authorities have charged her with fraud, forgery and abuse of confidence.

The Guardian

The Belgian authorities have formally charged her with fraud, forgery and abuse of confidence and are deliberating whether to put her on trial or not.

The Guardian

If he is found guilty of abuse of confidence, the charge carrying the most severe penalty, Mr. Kerviel faces a seven-year jail term and a 750,000 euro fine.

The New York Times

Last month, the squad arrested 36 people, including Gilles Vaillancourt, the longtime mayor of Laval, a Montreal suburb, on charges including abuse of confidence, fraud against the government, conspiracy, municipal corruption, money laundering and gangsterism.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Only 13percentt saw problems arising from failures of the clergy -- sexual abuse, decline of confidence in leadership, poor sermons and liturgy, and clerical authoritarianism.

The New York Times

AOSA accidental overdoses with substances of abuse, CI Confidence interval.

BMC Public Health

AOSA accidental overdoses with substances of abuse, CI confidence interval, G.P. general practitioner, Psych.

BMC Public Health

The Catholic Church worldwide is reeling from crises involving sexual abuse of minors, deeply damaging confidence in the Church in Chile, but also in the United States, Australia, and Ireland where the scandal has hit hardest, and elsewhere.

Huffington Post

This doesn't really apply to me, but that's cool because there are a TON of other things that cause homosexuality: loneliness, sexual abuse, low self-esteem, "artisticness," lack of confidence (anyone who has ever been to a gay-pride parade can confirm that queers lack confidence), repressed childhood trauma, and platonic female friendships.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abuse of confidence", ensure the context clearly establishes a pre-existing relationship of trust. The phrase is most impactful when the violation is significant and causes demonstrable harm.

Common error

Avoid using "abuse of confidence" to describe general dishonesty or wrongdoing. This phrase is most appropriate when a specific, established trust has been violated, not simply when someone acts unethically or illegally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abuse of confidence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an action or situation where trust has been violated. Ludwig provides examples where it's used in legal contexts and personal betrayals.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abuse of confidence" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the violation of trust. As Ludwig highlights, it appears in various contexts, including news reports, legal discussions, and ethical analyses. While not overly common, its usage carries significant weight, emphasizing the severity of broken trust. Related phrases include "breach of trust" and "violation of trust". It's important to reserve this phrase for situations where a clear and established trust relationship has been violated, as misusing it can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breach of trust

Focuses on the breaking of an established trust.

violation of trust

Highlights the act of violating a trust relationship.

betrayal of trust

Emphasizes the disloyal aspect of breaking trust.

misuse of trust

Highlights the improper use of entrusted power or information.

exploitation of trust

Focuses on taking advantage of someone's trust for personal gain.

deception of confidence

Stresses the use of deceit to gain and then abuse confidence.

fraudulent breach of confidence

Emphasizes the deceptive and illegal aspect of the betrayal.

undermining of trust

Describes a gradual erosion of trust rather than a single act.

erosion of confidence

Highlights the gradual loss of trust or belief.

loss of faith

Indicates a complete abandonment of trust or belief in someone.

FAQs

What does "abuse of confidence" mean?

Abuse of confidence refers to a situation where someone violates the trust placed in them, often for personal gain or to the detriment of the person who trusted them. It implies a betrayal of a specific relationship built on trust.

How can I use "abuse of confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "abuse of confidence" to describe situations where someone has betrayed a trust. For example, "The manager's actions were a clear "abuse of confidence", leading to a breakdown in team morale."

What are some alternatives to "abuse of confidence"?

Alternatives to "abuse of confidence" include "breach of trust", "violation of trust", or "betrayal of trust". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "abuse of confidence" a legal term?

While "abuse of confidence" is not always a formal legal term, it describes actions that can lead to legal consequences, especially in cases involving fraud, embezzlement, or breach of fiduciary duty. Specific laws and regulations will vary by jurisdiction.