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swear on

B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To promise something is true by mentioning something very important to you, like your mother's life or the Bible.

Literal meaning: To place a sworn oath upon something — resting your promise on an object or person of great importance.

Meanings

1 B1 formal

To make a formal or legal oath by placing one's hand on a sacred object (such as a Bible) as a sign of sincerity.

"The witness swore on the Bible before giving his testimony in court."

"I do solemnly swear on the Constitution of the United States."

— Traditional U.S. presidential oath of office formula.
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To promise informally that something is absolutely true by invoking something precious to you.

"I swear on my life that I never touched your phone."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Used in legal, religious, and everyday informal contexts. Common collocations include 'swear on the Bible,' 'swear on my mother's grave,' and 'swear on my life.' The casual version ('I swear on my life') is very common in informal speech.

Commonly used with

Bible life mother's grave heart children honour

Forms

Base
swear on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
swears on
he/she/it
Past simple
sweared on
yesterday
Past participle
sweared on
have + pp
-ing form
swearing on
continuous

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Synonyms

vow on take an oath on swear upon pledge on attest on

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