break one's word; go back on one's promise
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to break one's word; to go back on one's word; to eat one's words
formalA formal four-character idiom used to criticize someone who fails to keep a promise or fulfill a commitment. It carries a negative connotation.
Tā他
zǒng总
shì是
zì自
shí食
qí其
yán言
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
méi没
rén人
xiāng相
xìn信
tā他
le了
。
He always breaks his word, so nobody believes him anymore.
Rú如
guǒ果
nǐ你
zì自
shí食
qí其
yán言
，
jiù就
huì会
shī失
qù去
péng朋
yǒu友
de的
xìn信
rèn任
。
If you go back on your word, you will lose your friends' trust.
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Lǐng领
dǎo导
zhě者
bù不
yīng应
gāi该
zì自
shí食
qí其
yán言
，
fǒu否
zé则
nán难
yǐ以
fú服
zhòng众
。
Leaders should not break their promises, or they will find it hard to command respect.