Reading Theme:
Betray: Definition, Usage & Real-Life Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：betray a trust (betray)
betray
/bɪˈtreɪ/
vt.
when someone you trust does something harmful to you or breaks their promise.
betray a trust
➕
/bɪˈtreɪ ə trʌst/
vt.
To be disloyal to someone who trusts you, often by harming them or breaking a promise.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'tradere' (tra- 'over' + dare 'to give'), meaning 'to hand over'.
💡 Mnemonic
Be-TRAY: Imagine a friend tipping over your lunch tray, breaking trust.
📖 Example
She felt deeply hurt when her best friend betrayed her by siding with her rivals.
Her closest friend's decision to support her opponents caused her profound pain and a sense of betrayal.
🔗 Collocations
betray a confidence – To reveal a secret that was shared in trust.
betray one's country – To commit treason against one's nation.
betray a friend – To act against the interests or trust of a friend.
🔄 Synonyms
deceive (vt.) – To cause someone to believe something that is not true.
double-cross (vt.) – To betray someone by pretending to be loyal while secretly working against them.
🚫 Antonyms
remain loyal (v. phrase) – To stay faithful and supportive.
protect (vt.) – To keep someone safe from harm or betrayal.
🌱 Derivatives
betrayal (n.) – The act of betraying someone or something.
📖 Cultural Story
The word entered English via Old French 'betrair'. Its Latin root 'tradere' originally meant 'to hand over', which evolved to specifically mean handing someone over to an enemy, hence the sense of treachery. Today, it's a powerful word in contexts of politics, espionage, and personal relationships.
Meaning 2：reveal a secret (betray)
betray
/bɪˈtreɪ/
vt.
to tell a secret to someone you should not tell, or to show something you should hide.
reveal a secret
➕
/rɪˈviːl ə ˈsiːkrɪt/
vt.
To unintentionally or carelessly make a secret known to someone who should not know it.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
His nervous glance towards the locked drawer betrayed the location of the hidden documents.
His anxious look in the direction of the locked drawer unintentionally disclosed where the documents were concealed.
🔗 Collocations
betray one's emotions – To unintentionally show one's true feelings.
betray the truth – To inadvertently reveal the true facts of a situation.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
conceal (vt.) – To keep something secret or hidden.
keep secret (v. phrase) – To not tell anyone about something.
🌱 Derivatives
betrayer (n.) – A person who betrays someone or something.
Meaning 3：show one's true feelings (betray)
betray
/bɪˈtreɪ/
vt.
to show your true feelings or thoughts without intending to, often on your face or through your actions.
show one's true feelings
➕
/ʃoʊ wʌnz truː ˈfilɪŋz/
vt.
To unintentionally reveal your genuine thoughts or emotions through your expression, voice, or actions.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Despite her calm words, a slight tremble in her voice betrayed her fear.
Even though she spoke calmly, a small quiver in her voice revealed her underlying fear.
🔗 Collocations
betray anxiety – To show signs of nervousness or worry unintentionally.
betray excitement – To unintentionally show enthusiasm or eagerness.
🔄 Synonyms
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