Word (phrase): confide in (verb phrase)

Associations

"Confide in" means to share your secrets or personal thoughts with someone you trust. It suggests a close relationship where you feel safe to open up.

• Example 1: "I often confide in my best friend about my problems." (Here, the speaker trusts their friend with personal issues.)
• Example 2: "She decided to confide in her therapist about her feelings." (In this case, the speaker shares emotions with a professional.)
• Example 3: "He confided in his brother about his job troubles." (The speaker trusts their brother enough to share concerns about work.)

A synonym for "confide in" is "trust." However, "trust" is more general and does not specifically imply sharing secrets. You can trust someone without confiding in them, but when you confide, you are actively sharing personal information.

Substitution

Other phrases you might use instead of "confide in" include:

• "Share with" (This is more general and can be used for less personal information.)
• "Open up to" (This suggests a deeper emotional sharing.)
• "Disclose to" (This is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts.)

Using these alternatives can change the meaning slightly. For example, "share with" does not imply the same level of trust as "confide in."

Deconstruction

The phrase "confide in" can be broken down into:

• "Confide" comes from the Latin word "confidere," which means "to trust."
• "In" is a preposition that indicates the direction of the action, showing who you are trusting.

The combination of these words emphasizes the act of trusting someone with personal information.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you confided in someone? What did you share, and how did it feel?
• Who do you feel comfortable confiding in? Why do you trust them?
• Are there situations where you would hesitate to confide in someone? What makes you feel that way?