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bank on

to rely on with confidence

In Phrasal Verbs

In more detail

1. (phrasal verb) to depend on someone or something; to rely on or trust that something will happen

2. (phrasal verb) to bet money on something

Examples

• 1. You can bank on Sarah to help you—she's very reliable.
• 2. He banked on winning the lottery to pay his debts.

How to use bank on

Bank on (meaning 1) is commonly used when you are relying on something happening or someone helping you, often when there are no alternatives or the stakes are high. It carries a tone of confidence but can also imply some risk or uncertainty. It differs from simply rely on by suggesting a more crucial or significant dependence, as if you're wagering your plans on that outcome. The second meaning (to bet money) is less frequent in modern usage but appears in gambling contexts.

Common phrases

• bank on someone's support
• bank on the weather
• bank on winning
• can't bank on it
• we're banking on

Synonyms

rely on · depend on · count on · wager on · bet on

Opposites

doubt · distrust

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use "bank on" with a negative implication without realizing it can sound overconfident; for example, saying "I'm banking on getting a promotion" may sound presumptuous if the outcome is not yet certain. Another mistake is confusing it with "bank for" or "bank with" (the latter meaning to use a particular bank for financial services).

Nearby in Phrasal Verbs

account for, back up, break down, bring about, bring up

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained