undermine their confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"undermine their confidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation in which someone or something is causing damage or weakening to someone's confidence or self-esteem. For example: - Constant criticism from their boss undermined their confidence in their abilities. - The negative comments from the audience began to undermine the singer's confidence on stage. - The toxic work environment gradually undermined the team's confidence in their leader. - The constant comparison to their siblings made the youngest child feel undermined in their confidence. - The cheating scandal undermined the trust and confidence in the school's administration.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Dementia patients tell things as they see it and any correction will only undermine their confidence.

Independent

Republicans worship him with religious affection, with 92% finding no fault serious enough to undermine their confidence in him, according to one national poll last week.

The Guardian

Just as rising real estate prices had a positive effect on American consumers, declining real estate prices continue to undermine their confidence.

The New York Times

Men make deliberately negative remarks to young women – impertinent comments about their clothes or hair – expecting to pique their interest and undermine their confidence at the same time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mohammed Arman, a senior Hamas commander, had said, in a book smuggled out of his Israeli jail, that the role of Palestinian citizens of Israel would be to "harass the occupiers, disrupt their daily routine and undermine their confidence".

The Guardian

When a jerk bee finds a new source of pollen, it returns to the hive and does a celebratory dance to mock the other bees and undermine their confidence.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

They say that serious concerns, which they did not specify, have undermined their confidence in the original report.

The New York Times - Science

"When they then get an ambiguous response from the police, it undermines their confidence about what has happened.

The Guardian

The vile, insulting and personal comments are taking their toll on teachers' health and well-being and undermining their confidence to do their job.

Independent

In his classic Europe Without Baedeker (1947), written during his most Anglophobic period, Edmund Wilson saw Alice as characteristic of the snobbish, overbearing, ineffably superior British upper classes, patronising everyone and undermining their confidence.

The Guardian - Film

The results agree with some of the findings in Martínez (2013) where nearly two-thirds of his participants reported resent and worry when their teacher immediately corrected them and that almost half of the participants hated making oral mistakes, thus undermining their confidence.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undermine their confidence" when referring to a gradual or subtle process of weakening someone's self-assurance rather than a sudden, drastic event.

Common error

Avoid using "undermine their confidence" when a situation causes a total loss of confidence. The phrase implies a partial weakening, not complete destruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine their confidence" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing an action that negatively affects someone's self-assurance. It describes a process where someone's belief in their abilities is weakened. Ludwig confirms its validity in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermine their confidence" is a versatile and correct expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, used to describe the process of weakening someone's self-assurance. Predominantly found in contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business publications, its frequency is categorized as common. Related alternatives include "erode their self-esteem" and "damage their self-assurance". When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is leading to the reduced confidence and avoid overstating the effect. The phrase is best suited for instances of partial weakening, rather than total destruction, of confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erode their self-esteem

Focuses more directly on damaging self-esteem, a core component of confidence.

damage their self-assurance

Highlights the act of causing damage to their sense of assurance.

weaken their resolve

Shifts the focus to diminishing their determination or firmness of purpose.

shake their belief

Implies causing doubt in their convictions or principles.

destroy their morale

Emphasizes the severe impact on their spirit or enthusiasm.

sap their self-belief

Suggests gradually depleting their inherent belief in themselves.

chip away at their certainty

Focuses on gradual, incremental damage to their sureness.

diminish their faith in themselves

Highlights the act of lessening their trust in their own abilities.

cripple their courage

Emphasizes the disabling effect on their bravery or willingness to act.

deflate their ego

Indicates a reduction in their pride or self-importance.

FAQs

How can I use "undermine their confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "undermine their confidence" to describe actions or situations that weaken someone's self-assurance. For example, "Constant criticism can "undermine their confidence" in their abilities".

What are some alternatives to "undermine their confidence"?

Alternatives include "erode their self-esteem", "damage their self-assurance", or "weaken their resolve". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "undermine their confidence" or "destroy their confidence"?

"Undermine their confidence" suggests a gradual weakening, while "destroy their confidence" implies a complete loss. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the severity of the impact.

What's the difference between "undermine their confidence" and "challenge their confidence"?

"Undermine their confidence" suggests a negative impact, weakening their self-assurance. "Challenge their confidence", on the other hand, implies a test or questioning of their beliefs, which may or may not result in a negative outcome.