bound to honor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bound to honor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a commitment or obligation to uphold a promise or duty. Example: "As a member of this organization, I am bound to honor the code of ethics we have established."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

For now, the arenas are still bound to honor the printed schedule from Nov. 15 and beyond.

The New York Times - Sports

The recommendation is not binding, because while state commissions uphold other states' license revocations or suspensions of boxers, they are not bound to honor a license denial.

The New York Times - Sports

Many considered Rutgers's current recruiting class to be among the best in the nation, but none of the players are bound to honor their commitment to Rutgers because they are unsigned.

The New York Times

Frequently, he resorts to an expansive first-person singular; e.g., "Writing these words, I feel more than a little discomfort about subverting my conviction that a novelist is bound to honor only what provokes his or her interest.

The New Yorker

You might have told your brothers while they were planning it that you wouldn't impede their efforts, but you felt bound to honor your sister's wishes and so would not participate.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The House will forge ahead with the commitments we have made to reducing government spending," said the House speaker, John A. Boehner, who earlier this month said he was "morally bound" to honor the statute and who has previously indicated a willingness to entertain Pentagon cuts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Western diplomats here confirmed that the May 12 deadline was a prominent feature of the negotiations along with a Libyan expectation that Washington would be honor bound to reward Colonel Qaddafi not only for his declaration, but also for the steps he is taking to allow American, British and United Nations inspectors to effectively assume authority over his secret weapons programs.

The New York Times

After their arrests, none of the defendants had been offered the consular services of the Mexican government, a right that the United States was treaty-bound to honor.

The New Yorker

"If you give something, the recipient is honor bound to give something back," he said.

The New York Times

The commissioner will surely feel honor bound to show Congress he is trying to stamp out unjust scenes like this.

The New York Times - Sports

For all of their faults and ideological rigidity, the Republican Party are not slaveholders claiming to be honor bound to take up arms against the government.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bound to honor" to emphasize a strong sense of duty or obligation, often stemming from a moral, legal, or ethical commitment. It's especially fitting when describing adherence to principles or promises.

Common error

Avoid using "bound to honor" for trivial commitments. This phrase carries significant weight, suggesting a deep sense of responsibility. Choose a less emphatic phrase for minor obligations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bound to honor" functions as a descriptor indicating a state of obligation or commitment. It's used to convey that someone or something is compelled to respect or fulfill a duty or promise. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bound to honor" signifies a state of obligation or commitment to fulfill a duty, promise, or principle. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It sees frequent usage in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, as well as Science environments. While "bound to honor" carries a significant weight, it is essential to avoid overusing it in place of trivial commitment phrases. Alternatives like "obliged to respect", "required to uphold", or "duty-bound to fulfill" can be used to emphasize different nuances of obligation depending on context. When deciding whether to use "bound to honor", be mindful of the strength of the commitment. Overall, "bound to honor" is a versatile expression for emphasizing the importance of fulfilling a duty or obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honor-bound to respect

Suggests that one feels compelled to act or behave in a certain way due to honor or principle.

obliged to respect

Changes "bound" to "obliged" and "honor" to "respect", focusing on a sense of duty.

required to uphold

Emphasizes the necessity to maintain or defend something.

duty-bound to fulfill

Highlights a moral obligation to complete a task or promise.

morally obligated to keep

Focuses on the ethical aspect of maintaining a commitment.

contractually obligated to uphold

Specifies the obligation arises from a formal agreement.

compelled to abide by

Indicates a strong external force or necessity to follow rules.

committed to respecting

Stresses a personal pledge to show regard.

under an obligation to observe

Highlights the existence of a formal requirement to comply.

legally required to acknowledge

Points out a formal, law-based compulsion.

FAQs

How can I use "bound to honor" in a sentence?

Use "bound to honor" to express a commitment or obligation, as in: "As a member of this organization, I am "bound to honor" the code of ethics."

What does "bound to honor" mean?

The phrase "bound to honor" means being obligated or committed to respecting or fulfilling something, such as a promise, agreement, or principle.

What are some alternatives to "bound to honor"?

Alternatives include "obliged to respect", "required to uphold", or "duty-bound to fulfill", each carrying a slightly different nuance of obligation.

Is there a difference between "bound to honor" and "honor-bound to"?

"Bound to honor" generally implies an external obligation (e.g., legal, contractual), whereas "honor-bound to" suggests a more internal, self-imposed sense of duty based on one's personal principles.