rely upon
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive) To depend on or trust in someone or something completely, with a sense of confidence in their reliability, support, or judgment.
Usage
This verb is used to express a confident dependence on a person, thing, or quality. It often implies a relationship where one party is counting on the other to act, provide, or perform in a certain, expected way. It is commonly followed by the preposition "on" (e.g., rely on someone).
Examples
- You can rely upon his discretion in this sensitive matter.
- A good friend is someone you can rely upon when times get rough.
- The entire system relies upon a steady power supply to function.
- We are relying upon the data from the latest survey to make our decision.
Advanced Usage
- "To rely upon it that...": To be confident that something will happen. This is a more formal construction.
- We are relying upon it that the delivery will arrive before noon.
- The phrase often carries a connotation of vulnerability or need from the subject who is doing the relying.
Variants and Related Words
- Rely on: The more common variant, identical in meaning and usage to "rely upon."
- I rely on my morning coffee to wake up.
- Reliant (adjective): Dependent on.
- The region is reliant on tourism.
- Reliance (noun): The state of being dependent on or having trust in.
- His reliance on technology is total.
Synonyms
- Depend on: To be determined or influenced by. (Slightly more neutral)
- Count on: To expect something to happen or someone to do something. (More informal)
- Trust in: To have a firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of.
- Bank on: To base one's hopes or plans on something happening. (Informal)
Phrasal Verbs
- Rely upon/on is itself a phrasal verb. There are no further separable phrasal verbs derived directly from it.
Related Idioms
- To be someone's rock: To be a person someone can always rely upon for support.
- Throughout the crisis, she was my rock.
- To pin one's hopes on: To rely very heavily on a particular positive outcome.
- They are pinning their hopes on a successful product launch.
Verb
- put trust in with confidence
- she is someone you can really rely on when times get rough
- you can rely on his discretion