Phrasal verb
believe in
Meanings
to accept that something is true or that someone or something exists
to have confidence in someone’s abilities or that they will succeed
to support an idea or principle and think it is right
Definition
To believe in someone or something means to have confidence that they exist, are true, or will succeed.
To believe in means to accept that something is true or that someone or something exists. It can also mean to have confidence in a person’s abilities or in a plan’s chance of success. In another common use, it means to support an idea or principle and think it is right.
Examples
- I believe in you, even when the project feels overwhelming.
- She believes in learning from mistakes and trying again.
- They believe in their team’s plan and stick to it.
- He believes in ghosts, but his sister doesn’t.
- Do you believe in this idea enough to test it?
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "believe in" (accept/support) with "believe" + clause (think something is true), e.g., "I believe in he is honest" instead of "I believe he is honest."
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.