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

1. put trust in with confidence
   • she is someone you can really rely on when times get rough
   • you can rely on his discretion