betray

Everyday

1. To betray someone is to hurt them by being disloyal, for example by telling their secret, breaking a promise or helping their enemy. tree →
2. To betray your country is to help its enemies. tree →
3. To betray a feeling is to show it without meaning to: «Her shaking hands betrayed her fear.» tree →
4. A thing that is hidden can be betrayed when it is revealed by accident, so that others can see the truth. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and history, betrayal is a big theme: a friend tells the villain where the hero is hiding (Judas, Edmund in Narnia). In friendships, betraying a trust (sharing a secret, laughing behind someone's back) hurts. But safety lessons say: telling a trusted adult about a bad secret or danger is NOT betraying a friend. Phrases: «betray a secret», «betray someone's trust», «feel betrayed».

Examples

• He betrayed his friend by telling everyone her secret. tree →
• I felt betrayed when she broke her promise. tree →
• Edmund betrayed his brother and sisters to the witch. tree →
• The spy betrayed his country. tree →
• Her red face betrayed her embarrassment. tree →
• Don't betray the trust people give you. tree →
• His voice betrayed how nervous he was. tree →
• Telling an adult about a dangerous secret is not betraying anyone. tree →
• A false tale often betrays itself. tree →

Note

Past: betrayed (keep the y). Noun: betrayal; person: traitor. Good secrets (a surprise party) are kept; bad secrets (someone is hurting you) should be told to an adult.

In Jewish tradition

In stories and history, betrayal is a big theme: a friend tells the villain where the hero is hiding (Judas, Edmund in Narnia). In friendships, betraying a trust (sharing a secret, laughing behind someone's back) hurts. But safety lessons say: telling a trusted adult about a bad secret or danger is NOT betraying a friend. Phrases: «betray a secret», «betray someone's trust», «feel betrayed».

Examples

• 'Give counsel, execute justice; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; betray not the fugitive. (Prophets ISA.16.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past: betrayed (keep the y). Noun: betrayal; person: traitor. Good secrets (a surprise party) are kept; bad secrets (someone is hurting you) should be told to an adult.