rely

Everyday

1. To rely on someone means to trust them to help you or do what they say. tree →
2. To rely on something means to need it to work or to live, like plants rely on sunlight. tree →
3. If you can rely on something happening, you can be sure it will happen. tree →

In the lessons

In science, living things rely on each other in food chains, and plants rely on sun, water and air. In friendship and feelings lessons, a good friend is someone you can rely on. In maths and reasoning, «relying on a guess» is risky; it is better to check. Phrases: «rely on», «can rely on», «rely on each other», «you can't rely on».

Examples

• You can always rely on me to help. tree →
• Plants rely on sunlight to make food. tree →
• We rely on the bus to get to school. tree →
• Bees rely on flowers for food. tree →
• Don't rely on your memory; write it down. tree →
• The team relies on its goalkeeper. tree →
• Animals in the food chain rely on each other. tree →
• You can't rely on the weather in spring. tree →
• The Prince heard her words without anxiety, so entirely did he rely on the help of his black friend. tree →

Note

Always followed by «on» or «upon»: «rely on someone». Forms: «relies» (y → ie), «relied», «relying». Adjective: «reliable» (can be trusted); noun: «reliance». Opposite feeling: «unreliable».

In Jewish tradition

To trust and lean on someone; when said of God it means trusting Him for rescue.

Interpretation. Tradition teaches trust in God (bitachon) as the right kind of reliance, as shown when King Asa was reminded that God had saved him earlier.

Examples

• Wilt thou rely on him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather the corn of thy threshing-floor? (Writings JOB.39.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, He delivered them into thy hand. (Writings 2CH.16.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Always followed by «on» or «upon»: «rely on someone». Forms: «relies» (y → ie), «relied», «relying». Adjective: «reliable» (can be trusted); noun: «reliance». Opposite feeling: «unreliable».