on (one's) honor


on (one's) honor

1. With utmost sincerity; with one's serious promise or oath. Primarily heard in US. On my honor, I swear to you that I did not steal that money! If, on your honor, you promise to behave yourself, I'll let you go to the party with your friends.2. With a sincere intent (to do something) without being watched or scrutinized; according to the honor system. Primarily heard in US. To save on the cost of employing daytime staff to mind the till, we ask patrons on their honor to leave the correct payment for their items before leaving the shop.See also: honor, on

on one's honor

Fig. on one's solemn oath; sincerely. On my honor, I'll be there on time. He promised on his honor that he'd pay me back next week.See also: honor, on

on one's honor

Entrusted to behave honorably and honestly without supervision. For example, The students were on their honor not to consult notes during the exam. Originally alluding to a solemn oath, this idiom dates from the mid-1400s. See also: honor, on

on (one's) honor

Under an obligation enforced by the personal integrity of the one obliged.See also: honor, on