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debt of gratitude

debt of gratitude

16 3.6
A feeling of thanks that makes you want to repay someone who helped you
  • noun
  • /dɛt əv ˈɡrætɪtud/
translation icon : deuda de gratitud
  • I will always owe a debt of gratitude to you for your support during difficult times.
  • owes a debt of gratitude
  • an enormous debt of gratitude
  • debt of gratitude to individuals

The help that they provided was immense and I have a massive debt of gratitude to them for that.

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Examples

  • So, lessons learned, but we pulled it off, and I owe all of you a debt of gratitude.

    Blog text (5)
  • Actually, I owe a debt of gratitude to my friend Benjamin here.

  • Whatever it was, we owe a debt of gratitude for this wonderful gift.

  • I will always owe a debt of gratitude to you all.

  • I owe you a debt of gratitude for what you did for our David.

  • The help that they provided was immense and I have a massive debt of gratitude to them for that.

  • We owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to those who fought and died in this war.

    Blog text (11)
  • I owe you a debt of gratitude that I may never be able to repay.

  • We owe her an enormous debt of gratitude.

    Academic text (2016)
  • I owe each of you a huge debt of gratitude, and I won't forget your efforts.

    Blog text (14)

Synonyms

gratitude
vsdebt of gratitude
240 2.7

A feeling of being thankful for something someone did

includes that feeling but stresses an added sense of duty
appreciation
vsdebt of gratitude
121 3.0

An action or words that show you are grateful for help and kindness

focuses more on feeling owed and obligation than mere recognition
thankfulness
vsdebt of gratitude
7 3.2

A warm feeling when someone helps or shows they care

adds an element of owing something in return to that feeling
gratefulness
vsdebt of gratitude
4 2.0

A feeling of thanks for something kind someone has done

is similar but also involves a felt obligation to repay
indebtedness
vsdebt of gratitude
1 6.6

A feeling of thanks for someone's help that makes you feel you owe them

adds a feeling of thanks alongside that sense of obligation

How Grateful

indebtedness
1 6.6
debt of gratitude
16 3.6
gratitude
240 2.7
appreciation
121 3.0
thanks
1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

debt + of + gratitude

The phrase combines 'debt' (an obligation or something owed) with 'gratitude' (thankfulness), so a learner who knows both words can infer an obligation to be thankful or 'owing thanks.' This metaphorical extension of 'debt' to non-financial obligation is common in many languages, making the meaning directly derivable and transparent to B1 learners.

Etymology

The phrase debt of gratitude is like saying thankfulness is a money debt: debt is what you owe and gratitude is thanks, so you imagine you 'owe' someone after they help you. That's why it means a strong feeling of thanks and the idea that you should 'repay' them.