my words against yours

idiom

Pronunciation: /maɪ wɜrdz əˈɡenst jʊrz/ (American English)

Origin: This phrase is a modern English expression that has evolved from the concept of conflicting testimonies or accounts.

Meanings:

1. A situation where one person's statement or account contradicts another's, with no clear way to determine which is true.
2. An expression used to emphasize that one's version of events differs from another person's.

Example Sentences:

1. "I saw you take the money." "No, you didn't. It's my words against yours."
2. Without any witnesses, it's just my words against yours in this dispute.
3. The judge explained that in cases like these, where it's my words against yours, evidence becomes crucial.

Related Words:

• Synonyms: he-said-she-said, conflicting accounts, opposing testimonies
• Related phrases: one's word against another's, contradictory statements

Memorization Trick: Imagine two people standing face-to-face, each holding a speech bubble with their own words written inside. The bubbles are pushing against each other, representing the clash of differing accounts.

This idiom highlights the challenge of determining truth when faced with conflicting statements and no additional evidence. It's often used in legal or personal disputes where there are no witnesses or concrete proof to support either side's claims.