undermine confidence vs losing confidence

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'Undermine confidence' implies actively weakening or damaging someone's confidence, while 'losing confidence' suggests a passive or gradual decrease in confidence. The choice between the two depends on whether you want to emphasize a deliberate action or a natural process.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 668 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"undermine confidence"

This phrase is used to describe the act of intentionally weakening or damaging someone's confidence or trust in something.

Examples:

His constant criticism began to undermine her confidence in her abilities.
The scandal has undermined public confidence in the government.

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Those practices certainly undermine confidence in the decency of government.
Counterfeiting currency can also undermine confidence in the payment system, making the public uncertain about accepting cash for transactions.
That was a bad move and could undermine confidence in the need for the pact and the Commission's authority.
The existence of imperfect control mechanisms has the potential to undermine confidence in the Structural Funds system and could cast a negative light on the EU as a whole.
Air accidents happen comparatively infrequently compared with flights, but they are still accidents that cause many deaths, create doubts in public opinion and undermine confidence in our policy and our inspections.
We must get away from the predictable conflicts pitting North against South and producers against importers and consumers, as the conflicts in themselves undermine confidence in the instrument and, in the longer term, in EU trade policy.
However, care must be taken to ensure that economic policy measures to stimulate demand do not undermine confidence in stability.
Uncertainty regarding asset valuations has not only continued to undermine confidence in the banking sector, but has weakened the effect of the government support measures taken so far.
It is vital we take steps to combat these crimes which have the power to undermine confidence in the EU's financial systems, as well as notoriously close links with terrorist finance.
The lack of transparency on the extent to which financial instruments provided as collateral have been reused and the respective risks in the case of bankruptcy can undermine confidence in counterparties and magnify risks to financial stability.
But to remove it in this moment threatens to undermine confidence in the governor's leadership.
The disproportionate use of this key instrument for fighting cross-border crime helps undermine confidence in it.
That would undermine confidence in the euro and EMU.
This directive will undermine confidence in those standards because it interferes in freely negotiated commercial contracts.
Unjustified attachment could entail serious consequences for a debtor, possibly even ruining his livelihood, and undermine confidence in the European legal system.
Realities such as unemployment and insecurity undermine confidence and have an indirect effect on people's attitudes towards the European Union.
But delaying the debt reckoning for too long would undermine confidence in the US government's capacity for fiscal discipline.
These latest rumors of corruption are an attempt to undermine confidence in this city's police department and my administration.
e) Access blocking mechanisms undermine confidence in the freedom of information and communication on the internet.
When our citizens see what is happening, for example on the climate issue, and that we cannot get together and produce some kind of joint response, that is naturally something which will undermine confidence in our institutions.

Alternatives:

erode confidence
weaken confidence
sow doubt
shake confidence
damage trust

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"losing confidence"

This phrase is used to describe the gradual or passive decrease in confidence or trust without any specific action to cause it.

Examples:

She was losing confidence in her ability to complete the project.
The team is losing confidence in their coach's leadership.

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People are losing confidence in you.
But Felix's team is losing confidence in him.
Are you losing confidence in me?
Whereas new Greek issues sold like hot cakes in January, investors are now losing confidence in Greek bonds.
I am delighted, because consumers are losing confidence in the face of the possibility of being infected with a disease that we all know cannot be caught in this way.
I'm losing confidence in my future as Mrs. Longo.
He wanted me to warn him if the crew was losing confidence in him.
The only thing Mr. Zale is guilty of is losing confidence in a nonprofit organization that has proven its inability to manage its funds.
No, I sound like you before you started losing confidence in yourself.
Pittman seems to be losing confidence that T.K.'s problems are being handled... adequately.
Mr President, I would like to say to the Commissioner that European citizens are losing confidence and trust in more and more European programmes.
There is little doubt about what is intended: the aim is to stop the markets from losing confidence in the banks that fail the tests.
Although, I do have to ask, was it just my imagination, or were you guys losing confidence in me a little bit?
This is exactly why people are losing confidence in the Agency, Marty.
The question is what can be done to stop citizens from the new countries which have joined the EU from losing confidence and saying that one thing is approved in Brussels, while something different is decided by the governments in European capitals.
Can the Commission indicate how and when it intends to take specific new steps with a view to improving and monitoring the application of existing legislation, given that the report shows that the public is losing confidence in the benefits of European integration?
Losing confidence in me since I stopped that punch?
However, we must guard against losing confidence in the certification system by allowing absolutely anything under the sun to be accredited.

Alternatives:

doubting oneself
feeling uncertain
lacking trust
having doubts
experiencing insecurity

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undermine confidence vs losing confidence