go back on one's word; be inconsistent
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to go back on one's word; to be inconsistent; to act contrary to one's promise
formalUsed to criticize someone who is untrustworthy or capricious. Originates from 'Mencius', where the original meaning was closer to 'what you do will come back to you.' The modern meaning is more about unreliability.
Tā他
zuó昨
tiān天
cái才
dā答
yìng应
bāng帮
máng忙
，
jīn今
tiān天
jiù就
fǎn反
huǐ悔
le了
，
zhēn真
shì是
chū出
ěr尔
fǎn反
ěr尔
。
He agreed to help just yesterday, but he backed out today; he's so unreliable.
Lǐng领
dǎo导
chū出
ěr尔
fǎn反
ěr尔
，
ràng让
yuán员
gōng工
men们
gǎn感
dào到
fēi非
cháng常
shī失
wàng望
。
The leader went back on his word, which made the employees very disappointed.
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Qiān签
hé合
tong同
qián前
yào要
jǐn谨
shèn慎
，
xiǎo小
xīn心
duì对
fāng方
chū出
ěr尔
fǎn反
ěr尔
。
Be careful before signing a contract, in case the other party goes back on their word.
Zài在
shāng商
yè业
tán谈
pàn判
zhōng中
，
chū出
ěr尔
fǎn反
ěr尔
huì会
yán严
zhòng重
sǔn损
hái害
xìn信
yù誉
。
In business negotiations, going back on your word will seriously damage your reputation.