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guilt

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absolve from guilt

To consider innocent, clear of all suspicion, or pardon from any cause of guilt. The knights of the crusades committed many atrocities in their campaign, but they were absolved from guilt by the heads of the church.

See also: absolve, guilt

absolved from guilt

Considered innocent, cleared of all suspicion, or pardoned from any cause of guilt. The knights of the crusades committed many atrocities in their campaign, but they were regarded as absolved from guilt because of their religious patronage.

See also: absolve, guilt

guilt complex

A very strong and persistent feeling of guilt regarding something or some event. John developed a guilt complex after forcing his brother to move out.

See also: guilt

guilt trip

1. noun A deep feeling of guilt or remorse. I'm having a guilt trip for not being able to attend my sister's wedding.

2. verb To make others feel guilty, especially in an attempt to manipulate them. Kelly's parents were always trying to guilt trip her for not giving them grandchildren. You can't guilt trip me into donating money, I give enough to charity already.

See also: guilt, trip

a guilt trip

  (informal)

a strong feeling of guilt I'm on a guilt trip about not visiting my parents often enough.

See also: guilt, trip

send somebody on a guilt trip

  (British informal) also lay/put a guilt trip on somebody (American informal)

to make someone feel very guilty I'm tired of environmentalists who put a guilt trip on the rest of us for causing pollution with our life styles. She's sent me on a guilt trip about my treatment of Steven.

See also: guilt, on, send, trip

lay a (heavy) trip on someone

1. tv. to criticize someone. There’s no need to lay a trip on me. I agree with you.

2. tv. to confuse or astonish someone. After he laid a heavy trip on me about how the company is almost broke, I cleaned out my desk and left.

3. and lay a guilt trip on someone tv. to attempt to make someone feel very guilty. Why do you have to lay a guilt trip on me? Why don’t you go to a shrink? Keep your problems to yourself. Don’t lay a trip on me!

See also: heavy, lay, on, trip

lay a guilt trip on someone

verb

See lay a heavy trip on someone

See also: guilt, lay, on, trip

lay a guilt trip on

To make or try to make (someone) feel guilty.

See also: guilt, lay, on, trip