foolish trust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foolish trust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a trust that is considered unwise or lacking in judgment. Example: "Her foolish trust in strangers led her to make some regrettable decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"So it's foolish trust".

The New York Times

The movie doesn't question our ever-deepening love affair with technology and foolish trust in it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

So, even if it were not foolish to trust Mr Alexander, the revelation of heretofore unknown foiled plots tells us little of real use about the costs and benefits of the NSA's unprecedentedly comprehensive snooping.

The Economist

I feel foolish for trusting you this long, and I am part of you.

Huffington Post

You realize, in fact, that it was foolish of them to trust you in the first place.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is irresponsible and foolish to put our trust in the ability of such experts to get us out of this mess.

The Economist

So we await a version of "The Three Little Pigs" -- which is doubtless even now on press -- in which the prudent pig builds his house of blue-chip industrials, while his foolish brothers put their trust in dot-com shares.

The New York Times - Books

By my innocent (though, some might say, foolish) expression of utmost trust, they have done a good deed and I've gotten to town.

Huffington Post

"First, strike a balance between trusting and foolish — most adventures happen when you say yes.

The New York Times

In the summer of 1986, I lived in Manhattan near Union Square with my first girlfriend in a duplex owned by a very trusting and foolish adult.

The New Yorker

Still he believed that having intelligent advisers matters, since no ruler can last long if the people they depend on for guidance are foolish or not to be trusted.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "naive trust" or "misplaced trust" to more precisely convey the nuance of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "foolish trust" as a blanket statement. Instead, specify the actions or characteristics that make the trust unwise. For example, instead of saying "He had foolish trust", specify "He demonstrated foolish trust by sharing sensitive information with unreliable sources."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foolish trust" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "foolish" modifies the noun "trust". It describes a particular kind of trust characterized by poor judgment. Ludwig indicates that it is a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foolish trust" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression used to describe trust that is considered unwise or imprudent. As Ludwig confirms, it is a valid phrase. While relatively rare, it appears primarily in News & Media contexts, highlighting disapproval of specific instances of misplaced trust. Alternatives like "naive trust" or "misplaced trust" can offer more nuanced meaning. When using "foolish trust", ensure the context clarifies the reasons for considering the trust unwise and the potential negative outcomes. Avoiding overgeneralizations and specifying the basis for the assessment of "foolishness" will contribute to more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misplaced trust

Replaces "foolish" with "misplaced", suggesting the trust was given to someone undeserving.

naive trust

Substitutes "foolish" with "naive", implying a lack of awareness or experience in trusting.

blind trust

Replaces "foolish" with "blind", indicating a trust without reason or discernment.

unwarranted trust

Uses "unwarranted" instead of "foolish", highlighting that the trust lacks justification.

imprudent trust

Replaces "foolish" with "imprudent", suggesting a lack of wisdom or foresight.

unwise reliance

Rephrases the idea using "reliance" instead of "trust", indicating a foolish dependence.

reckless faith

Uses "reckless faith" instead of "foolish trust", highlighting the imprudent aspect of believing.

credulous belief

Expresses the concept as a "credulous belief", emphasizing a tendency to believe too readily.

unjustified confidence

Replaces "trust" with "confidence" and "foolish" with "unjustified", emphasizing the lack of reason for the belief.

rash dependence

Rephrases as "rash dependence", indicating a hasty and ill-considered reliance.

FAQs

How can I use "foolish trust" in a sentence?

You can use "foolish trust" to describe a situation where someone trusts unwisely, like in the sentence, "Her "foolish trust" in online strangers led to her being scammed".

What's a good alternative to "foolish trust"?

Alternatives to "foolish trust" include "naive trust", "misplaced trust", or "blind trust". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to have "foolish trust"?

To have "foolish trust" means to trust someone or something in a way that is unwise or imprudent, potentially leading to negative consequences.

Is "foolish trust" the same as "blind faith"?

While similar, "foolish trust" implies a lack of judgment in a specific situation, whereas "blind faith" often refers to unwavering belief without evidence, especially in a religious context.