Trust & Honesty: English Vocabulary List

to take action based on one's words or beliefs and living up to the standards that one talks about

"It's time to walk the walk."

"Instead of just talking about change, the leader must now walk the walk."

to make a firm promise to someone

"I give you my word."

"I give you my word that I will finish this project by Friday."

to believe what someone says without needing further proof

"I will take your word for it."

"I have never been to that restaurant but I will take your word for it that the food is good."

an assumption based on trust given to a person or thing, even though one is not entirely sure

"Give him benefit of doubt."

"Even though he was late, the teacher gave him the benefit of the doubt regarding his excuse."

in an honest or sincere manner

"Thank you from heart."

"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible support."

to not think carefully before saying something or reacting to a situation

"He shoots from hip."

"You should try not to shoot from the hip when discussing sensitive topics with your boss."

to not hesitate to do or say what one truly wants

"She makes no bones."

"He made no bones about his disapproval of the proposed changes to the policy."

to talk about something openly and frankly, particularly something that is unpleasant to hear

"Let me lay it on the line for you."

"The manager laid it on the line and told the employees that the company would close if sales did not improve."

to directly tell a person a fact, usually one that is unpleasant

"Give it to me straight."

"Do not try to soften the bad news just give it to me straight because I can handle the truth."

to seriously and honestly discuss a matter

"Let us talk turkey now."

"It is time to stop joking around and talk turkey about how much money we need to start this business."

to show one's criticism or disapproval without considering other people's feelings

"He pulls no punches in meetings."

"The critic pulled no punches when he reviewed the poorly made film last night."

in a completely honest and frank way, particularly used for a discussion between two men

"Let's talk man to man."

"The father decided to talk man to man with his son about responsibility and the importance of telling the truth."

(of a fact stated) in a way that is very direct and clear

"Not in many words."

"He didn't say it in so many words, but his disapproval was evident."

an agreement that is based on the mutual trust of the parties, which is of no legal value

"We have a gentleman's agreement."

"They made a gentleman's agreement to split the profit equally without writing anything down on paper."

to make no effort to hide one's true feelings and intentions

"She wears her heart on her sleeve."

"He always wears his heart on his sleeve, so everyone knows exactly how he feels."

to be willing to help or support a person, cause, etc., often by offering money

"Open your heart now."

"The charity asked people to open their hearts to the refugees fleeing the war-torn country."

(of a business) to share confidential or sensitive information to a business partner or colleague

"Open the kimono now."

"The startup agreed to open the kimono and share their proprietary technology with the investor."

to start to talk about what one truly feels or thinks

"He bared his soul to his best friend."

"In her diary she bared her soul and wrote about all her deepest fears and secret hopes for the future."

to openly share one's thoughts and feelings with someone

"I poured my heart out to her."

"She poured her heart out to her best friend about the problems she was having in her marriage."

to share with someone all one's feelings, most private thoughts, and secrets

"She spilled her guts to her best friend."

"The suspect finally spilled his guts to the police and confessed everything about the crime he committed."

to reveal to a person, an organization, etc. what one truly feels or thinks

"Open your heart."

"She finally decided to open her heart to her therapist, sharing years of pent-up emotions and anxieties."

to share with someone all one's feelings, most private thoughts, and secrets

"Let's spill our guts."

"After years of holding back, she finally decided to spill her guts to her best friend about her deepest fears."