faith (redirected from keep faith)

*leap of faith

Fig. acceptance of an idea or conclusion largely on faith. (*Typically: be ~; make ~; require ~.) We had to make quite a leap of faith to accept his promise after the last time he let us down.

See also: leap

an act of faith

an act or deed demonstrating religious faith; an act or deed showing trust in someone or something. For him to trust you with his safety was a real act of faith.

See also: act

Faith will move mountains.

Prov. If you believe in what you are doing, you can overcome any obstacle. (Sometimes refers to faith in God.) Jane's faith in her cause could move mountains. You may feel disheartened sometimes, but remember that faith will move mountains.

See also: mountain, move

have faith in someone

to believe someone; to trust someone to do or be what is claimed. I have faith in you. I know you will try your best. We have faith in you and know you can do the job well.

See also: have

in bad faith

Fig. without sincerity; with bad or dishonest intent; with duplicity. It appears that you acted in bad faith and didn't live up to the terms of our agreement. If you do things in bad faith, you'll get a bad reputation.

See also: bad

in good faith

Fig. with good and honest intent; with sincerity. We are convinced you were acting in good faith, even though you made a serious error. I think you didn't sign the contract in good faith. You never intended to carry out our agreement.

See also: good

keep faith with someone

to be loyal to someone. I intend to keep faith with my people and all they stand for. We could not keep faith with them any longer.

See also: keep

Oh, ye of little faith.

Fig. You who trust no one. (Jocular; the word ye is an old form of you used in the Bible.) You thought I wouldn't show up on time? Oh, ye of little faith.

See also: little

pin one's faith on someone or something and pin one's hopes on someone or something

Fig. to fasten one's faith or hope to someone or something. Don't pin your faith on Tom. He can't always do exactly what you want. He pinned his hopes on being rescued soon.

See also: pin

restore someone's trust in something and restore someone's belief in something; restore someone's faith in something

to reinstate someone's belief, faith, trust, etc., in something. I knew that a good performance on the test would restore my parents' belief in me. Her faith was restored in the government.

See also: restore, trust

show good faith

to demonstrate good intentions or good will. I'm certain that you showed good faith when you signed the contract. Do you doubt that she is showing good faith?

See also: good, show

take something on faith

to accept or believe something on the basis of little or no evidence. Please try to believe what I'm telling you. Just take it on faith. Surely you can't expect me to take a story like that on faith.

See also: take

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an article of faith

something that someone believes very strongly without thinking about whether it could be wrong It was an article of faith with Mona that everything she used should be recycled.

See also: article

break faith with something/somebody   (formal)

to stop supporting an idea or person, especially by not doing what you promised to do She claims that the government has broken faith with teachers by failing to give additional funds to education.

See also: break

in good faith

if you act in good faith, you believe that what you are doing is right and legal His defence was that he had acted in good faith. He did not know when he bought the car that it had been stolen.

See also: good

keep faith with something/somebody   (formal)

to continue to support an idea or person, especially by doing what you promised to do Has the company kept faith with its promise to invest in training?

See also: keep

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an article of faith

something that is accepted as being true The importance of a balanced budget had become an article of faith among conservatives.

See also: article

keep faith with somebody/something (slightly formal)

to be loyal to someone or something It is unusual for any official to keep faith with promises made when trying to win an election.

See also: keep

take somebody/something on faith

to believe someone or something without proof You will have to take it on faith that the information I am asking for is really important.

See also: take