Trust & Honesty

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

It's not enough to talk about environmental conservation; you need to walk the walk by reducing your own carbon footprint.

to believe what someone says without needing further proof

He claimed to have seen a UFO, and without any other evidence, I had to take his word for it.

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

Although his explanation seemed unlikely, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt until more facts emerged.

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

He tends to shoot from the hip during debates, often expressing his opinions without considering the consequences.

to not hesitate to do or say what one truly wants

He made no bones about his dislike for spicy food and refused to eat anything with even a hint of spice.

to put something valuable or important at risk, often with the intention of assisting or helping someone

The coach decided to lay his reputation on the line by benching the star player for disciplinary reasons.

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

I appreciate when my friends give it to me straight and offer their honest opinions, even if it's not what I want to hear.

to seriously and honestly discuss a matter

During the contract negotiation, the parties sat down to talk turkey and hammered out the specific terms and conditions.

to deliberately hold back or lessen the force or impact of one's actions, often to avoid causing harm or offense

In the world we live in, you don't get anywhere by pulling your punches.

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

As friends, they knew they could always speak openly, man to man, about anything troubling them.

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

She didn't explicitly say it, but in so many words, she implied that she was not happy with the decision.

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

The business partners reached a gentleman's agreement to split the profits equally, even though it was not officially documented.

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

The CEO decided to open the kimono and share the company's financial challenges with the board of directors.