vote of no confidence
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
A formal process in a parliamentary system where the legislature votes to show it does not support the current government or leader, potentially forcing their resignation.
Any formal or informal expression of strong disapproval or withdrawal of support for a person in a position of authority, used more broadly in organizational or institutional contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a political/parliamentary term; its use outside politics is metaphorical, suggesting a severe crisis of leadership.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originates from and is most commonly used in parliamentary systems like the UK's. In the US presidential system, the closest equivalent is 'impeachment', but the mechanisms differ fundamentally. The phrase is understood in AmE but used more in political commentary or metaphorical extensions.
Connotations
In BrE, it carries precise constitutional weight. In AmE, it often connotes a dramatic, final judgment on leadership.
Frequency
Far more frequent in BrE and Commonwealth English news and political discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] tabled/passed a vote of no confidence in [Leader/Government].[Leader/Government] faced/survived a vote of no confidence.A vote of no confidence was held on [date].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The board's decision was a vote of no confidence in the CEO's strategy.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical: 'The shareholders' revolt was seen as a vote of no confidence in the chairman.'
Academic
Used in political science to describe a key mechanism in parliamentary systems.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used when discussing serious political news or major organizational disputes.
Technical
A precise term in constitutional law and parliamentary procedure.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The opposition will seek to no-confidence the government tomorrow.
- MPs are preparing to no-confidence the Prime Minister over the scandal.
American English
- The committee moved to no-confidence the director, though it's a symbolic gesture here.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The government lost the vote of no confidence.
- What happens after a vote of no confidence?
- The opposition tabled a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister's handling of the economy.
- Surviving a vote of no confidence can still severely weaken a leader's authority.
- The backbench rebellion culminated in a motion of no confidence, which the Chancellor only narrowly survived.
- In a dramatic turn of events, the coalition partner's abstention effectively served as a vote of no confidence, precipitating a constitutional crisis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a parliament where members VOTE to say they have NO CONFIDENCE in the prime minister. The vote is the action, 'no confidence' is the judgment.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT/LEADERSHIP IS A CONSTRUCT HELD UP BY SUPPORT; withdrawing that support (no confidence) causes the construct to collapse.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'vote' as 'голос' (voice) in isolation; it's 'голосование'. The full phrase is 'вотум недоверия'. Avoid calquing 'of no confidence' directly as 'без доверия' outside the set phrase.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean a simple disagreement or criticism that lacks formal consequence. *'My teacher gave me a vote of no confidence on my essay.' (Incorrect) | Confusing it with 'impeachment', which is a formal accusation, not a test of legislative support.
Practice
Quiz
In which system is a 'vote of no confidence' a core constitutional mechanism for removing the executive?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A vote of no confidence is a test of legislative support that can force a government/PM to resign in a parliamentary system. Impeachment (e.g., in the US) is a formal accusation of wrongdoing against a public official, leading to a trial, not directly a test of political support.
Not officially, as it's a parliamentary term. However, it is used metaphorically to describe a situation where shareholders or a board formally withdraws support from a CEO or chairman, forcing them out.
Typically, the prime minister and government must resign. This often leads to either the formation of a new government by a different coalition or a general election being called.
Essentially, yes. The 'motion' is the proposal put forward; the 'vote' is the act of deciding on that motion. They are often used interchangeably.