good authority
14
3.8
- noun
:
fuente fiable
- Well, I have it on good authority that he's been working the docks.
I've heard that on good authority, but what I would say is that listen, Rude van Nistroo is coming.
- I've heard that on good authority, but what I would say is that listen, Rude van Nistroo is coming.
Examples
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I have it on very good authority from a close friend.
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We have it on good authority that he's our conduit to Benway.
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We have it on good authority you do know.
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I heard it on good authority.
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I have it on good authority that your glass is filled with tea.
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We have it on fairly good authority, however, that you might succeed where she failed.
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I have it on good authority that you're right.
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I have it on good authority that Percy has an application in at Briar Ridge.
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I have it on very good authority that many of the so-called underground groups have been infiltrated by communists.
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I have it on good authority that the meeting has been postponed until next week.
Synonyms
292
4.2
A person or book that people trust for expert information
7
4.7
Directly from the person who knows the facts
1
4.0
A place, website, or person you often use for trusted information
Antonyms
How Trustworthy
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'reliable or trustworthy source' is directly derivable from combining 'authority' (a recognized expert/source) with the adjective 'good' (trustworthy/competent). This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition that is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Good authority may come from the image of a respected person or office whose word people trust. Imagine an authority like a judge or elder giving information that is clearly 'good' and true, so the phrase came to mean a 'reliable source'.