breach of trust
noun phraseUK /briːtʃ əv trʌst/
US /briːtʃ əv trʌst/
When someone you count on breaks a promise and hurts your trust.
The coach's breach of trust upset the whole team when he shared their private talks.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In law, when a person in charge of money or property for someone else misuses it.
The lawyer was sued for a breach of trust after using the client's money for himself.
3. When a leader or official fails to do the job people trusted them to do.
Voters saw the secret deal as a breach of trust by their mayor.
4. Breaking a duty to keep someone's secrets or private information safe.
Sharing the patient's records was a serious breach of trust.