vouch

Everyday

1. To say that you know someone is honest, good or telling the truth, and you will take responsibility for that. tree →
2. To say that something is true or good because you have seen or tried it yourself. tree →

In the lessons

It almost always comes as "vouch for". If a friend vouches for you, they put their own good name behind you. In stories, someone may refuse to vouch for a suspicious stranger. In everyday life, a teacher or a neighbour may vouch for a person who wants a job. Phrases: "vouch for someone", "I can vouch for that", "can't vouch for".

Examples

• I can vouch for Sam; he would never steal. tree →
• The teacher vouched for her honesty. tree →
• I can vouch for this pizza place; it's brilliant. tree →
• Nobody could vouch for the stranger, so he was not let in. tree →
• Mum vouched for my story about the broken window. tree →
• I can't vouch for the weather tomorrow! tree →

Note

Regular verb: vouch, vouches, vouched. Nearly always followed by "for". Rhymes with "couch" and "pouch". Related noun: voucher (a ticket you can swap for goods or money), which comes from the same root. Only vouch for someone you really know: it means you share the blame if they let people down.

In Jewish tradition

It means to speak in someone's favour and say he is honest. In Job, an angel is a defender who speaks for a person.

Interpretation. The tradition takes this as the idea that good deeds and repentance act like advocates before God.

Examples

• If there be for him an angel, an intercessor, one among a thousand, to vouch for a man's uprightness; (Writings JOB.33.23, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: vouch, vouches, vouched. Nearly always followed by "for". Rhymes with "couch" and "pouch". Related noun: voucher (a ticket you can swap for goods or money), which comes from the same root. Only vouch for someone you really know: it means you share the blame if they let people down.