confide in someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confide in someone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are sharing your thoughts, feelings, or secrets with someone you trust. Example: "After a long day, I needed to confide in someone about my worries and frustrations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The NPHS-Social Support section is comprised of four statements about having "someone to confide in", "someone one can count on in a crisis", "someone one can count on for advice", and "someone who makes one feel loved and cared for", with Yes/No response options.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Why did she confide in someone like Linda Tripp?

The New York Times

It felt wonderful to have someone to confide in, someone she could trust not to gossip.

The New Yorker

I had to confide in someone and so I told my best friend, another Ugandan woman.

The Guardian

For victims it can be hard to seek support or to confide in someone.

The Guardian

If you're going to confide in someone, who should it be: a doctor, a psychotherapist or a lawyer?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

You're certainly not confiding in someone for religious advice, or for spiritual forgiveness".

The New York Times

By confiding in someone else now rather than in a year you can save yourself money and years of worry.

Independent

He decided he had to confess, but first he confided in someone he had come to trust — his professor in Latin American literature, Arcadio Díaz-Quiñones Díaz-Quiñones

The New York Times

She needs to start confiding in someone about what she's done, so her pen tells the tale to Stuart in letters.

The Guardian

"Unless you hear he confided in someone, he took his secret to the grave".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confide in someone", ensure that the context clearly indicates the trustworthiness of the person being confided in. This reinforces the sense of security and vulnerability associated with sharing personal information.

Common error

Avoid assuming that confiding in someone automatically implies that they will reciprocate by sharing their own secrets or personal information. Trust must be earned and respected, and forcing reciprocity can damage the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confide in someone" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of sharing personal or secret information with another individual. As Ludwig highlights, this implies a level of trust and expectation of discretion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "confide in someone" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe sharing personal information with another person with the expectation of trust and discretion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. It's important to choose the right person to confide in, considering their trustworthiness and ability to provide support. While alternatives like "open up to someone" or "share secrets with someone" exist, "confide in someone" specifically emphasizes the act of entrusting someone with sensitive information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take someone into your confidence

Implies a deeper level of trust and intimacy.

open up to someone

Emphasizes vulnerability and emotional honesty.

share secrets with someone

Focuses specifically on the sharing of secrets.

tell someone your innermost thoughts

Focuses on the depth and intimacy of the shared thoughts.

entrust someone with your thoughts

Highlights the act of placing trust in the other person.

unburden yourself to someone

Highlights the relieving aspect of sharing a burden.

reveal your feelings to someone

Specifically refers to sharing emotional states.

pour out your heart to someone

Suggests a very emotional and expressive sharing of feelings.

disclose personal information to someone

A more formal way of expressing the sharing of private details.

seek counsel from someone

Emphasizes seeking advice and guidance alongside sharing information.

FAQs

What does "confide in someone" mean?

To "confide in someone" means to share personal or private information with them, trusting that they will keep it secret and offer support or understanding.

Who is an appropriate person to "confide in someone"?

It's best to confide in someone who is trustworthy, empathetic, and discreet. This might be a close friend, family member, therapist, or counselor.

What can I say instead of "confide in someone"?

You can use alternatives like "open up to someone", "share secrets with someone", or "take someone into your confidence" depending on the context.

Is it always a good idea to "confide in someone"?

While confiding in someone can be helpful, it's important to choose wisely. Consider the potential consequences of sharing sensitive information and whether the person is capable of providing the support you need.