English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Good faith
Meaning
The idiom "good faith" refers to being honest, sincere, and trustworthy in one's actions or intentions. It implies that a person is acting with integrity and without any ulterior motives.
Usage
- He promised to return the money, but he failed to do so, which cast doubt on his good faith.
- The employee was fired for stealing office supplies, which showed a lack of good faith towards their employer.
- Despite her initial reluctance, she eventually agreed to help her friend who was in need, showing good faith.
- The judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff, as there was no evidence of bad faith on their part.
- He apologized for his mistakes and promised to work harder, demonstrating good faith towards his colleagues.
Roots and History
The idiom "good faith" dates back to the 16th century, where it was first used in legal contexts. The term comes from the Latin phrase "bonum fides," which translates to "good faith." Over time, the idiom has come to be used in everyday language to describe a person's sincerity and integrity.
Synonyms in English
- Sincerity
- Trustworthiness
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Loyalty
Synonyms in other languages
- Enchantement (French) - This word refers to a spell or charm that captivates someone's heart and mind, often used to describe someone who is charming and persuasive.
- Glaubegewissen (German) - This word translates to "faithfulness" and refers to the quality of being loyal and trustworthy in one's actions or intentions.
- Vertrauenswürdigkeit (German) - This word translates to "reliability" and refers to the quality of being dependable and trustworthy in one's actions or intentions.
- Gostanost (Serbian) - This word translates to "faithfulness" and refers to the quality of being loyal and trustworthy in one's actions or intentions.
- Vertrauen (German) - This word translates to "trust" and refers to the quality of believing in someone's good intentions or reliability.