The idiom “as good as one’s word” refers to being obedient to one’s promise or dependable in keeping one’s word. When someone is described as “as good as their word,” it means they are trustworthy and reliable, always fulfilling the promises they make.
Meaning of “as good as one’s word”
When you say that someone is “as good as their word,” you’re emphasizing that they can be trusted to do exactly what they said they would do. It conveys a sense of integrity, dependability, and honesty, highlighting the person’s commitment to honoring their promises.
Examples of “as good as one’s word” in sentences
Describing someone who keeps their promises:
“He was as good as his word. He lent me the books exactly as promised.”
“She said she would baby-sit and she was as good as her word. She showed up on time and took great care of the kids.”
Indicating a person’s reliability:
“If Sarah says she’ll help, you can count on her being as good as her word. She’s always dependable.”
“When John told me he would finish the project by Friday, he was as good as his word. The work was done on time.”
Referring to someone’s trustworthiness:
“Tom is as good as his word. He’ll never back out of an agreement once he’s made it.”
“I knew I could rely on her, as she’s always as good as her word when it comes to keeping commitments.”
Origins of the idiom
The idiom “as good as one’s word” has its origins in the concept of honor and integrity. A person’s word, historically, was considered a bond—promises were often sealed by spoken agreements rather than written contracts. Being “as good as one’s word” meant that a person could be relied upon to fulfill their commitments without the need for additional verification.
Similar expressions
If you’re looking for other ways to express that someone is trustworthy and dependable, here are some similar idioms:
- “Word is bond”
- “Honest as the day is long”
- “Kept their promise”
- “Reliable as clockwork”
How to use “as good as one’s word” in conversations
Here’s how to use this idiom in everyday speech:
Describing someone dependable:
“You can trust Greg. He’s as good as his word and always keeps his promises.”
Referring to someone’s commitment:
“When Jane said she would take care of the arrangements, she was as good as her word. Everything went smoothly.”
Emphasizing a promise being kept:
“He’s as good as his word. If he promises to help, he’s always there when needed.”
Conclusion
The idiom “as good as one’s word” is a compliment that highlights someone’s trustworthiness and reliability. It describes people who can be counted on to keep their promises and fulfill commitments. This expression underscores the importance of honoring one’s word, and it can be used to convey high regard for someone’s integrity.
