broken trust
- noun
- So you see Doc, I'm broken, broken family, broken home, broken trust, broken bonds, broken hymen, broken innocence.
Examples
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Looks like some broken trust.
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We have no choice now but to try and mend that broken trust.
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After the scandal, the company faced the challenge of repairing the broken trust with its clients.
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The community came together to address the broken trust that had formed between residents and local officials.
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Rebuilding broken trust takes time and effort, especially after a betrayal.
Synonyms
A feeling that someone or something cannot be relied on
A feeling of not trusting someone or something
To break the trust someone gives you by acting dishonestly or failing a duty
Antonyms
How Trusting
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and predictably derived from combining 'broken' (damaged/violated) with 'trust' (confidence); the phrase simply describes trust that has been damaged or lost. This metaphorical use of 'broken' for damaged social bonds is common and found across many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will likely infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Broken trust creates a simple picture: imagine a bridge called trust between two people that becomes broken, so they can no longer cross or rely on each other. That's why it means 'the loss of confidence' in someone.