commit a betrayal

Meaning

This formal phrase refers to the act of violating a trust, covenant, or confidence in a relationship. It is often used in serious discussions, literary contexts, or psychological analyses of relationships rather than casual gossip. The tone is grave and carries significant moral weight.

Examples

• To commit a betrayal of this magnitude often damages a marriage beyond repair.

  To commit a betrayal of this magnitude often damages a marriage beyond repair.

• He realized that sharing her secrets with the press was to commit a betrayal.

  He realized that sharing her secrets with the press was to commit a betrayal.

• Therapists often help couples navigate the aftermath when one partner commits a betrayal.

  Therapists often help couples navigate the aftermath when one partner commits a betrayal.

• She could forgive many faults, but she could not stay with someone who would commit such a betrayal.

  She could forgive many faults, but she could not stay with someone who would commit such a betrayal.

• In literature, characters who commit a betrayal often face tragic consequences.

  In literature, characters who commit a betrayal often face tragic consequences.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He did a betrayal to his best friend.

  ✓ He committed a betrayal against his best friend.

  'Betrayal' collocated with 'do' is incorrect. The standard formal verb is 'commit', or more simply, 'betrayed'.

• ✗ She committed a betrayal for her family.

  ✓ She committed a betrayal against her family.

  The preposition used to indicate the victim of the betrayal is typically 'against' or 'of', not 'for' (unless meaning 'on behalf of', which is rare here).

Related Expressions

Practice

• When you share confidential information, you ___ against your colleagues.

  💡 Use a formal phrase meaning to break trust.

  Show answer

  commit a betrayal

• It is difficult to rebuild a relationship once a partner decides to ___.

  💡 Formal phrase for violating trust.

  Show answer

  commit a betrayal