guilt trip

¹

noun

1. Informal. a feeling of guilt or responsibility, especially one not justified by reality.

guilt-trip

²

[ gilt-trip ]

verb (used with object)

, guilt-tripped, guilt-trip·ping.

1. Informal. to attempt to instill a guilt trip in; play upon the guilt feelings of. guilt ( def 4 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of guilt trip¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

She even defies her father when he tries and fails to guilt trip her into not going to Sarah Lawrence.

From Salon

This paradox is Thomson’s central concern throughout the book, but that doesn’t mean “The Fatal Alliance” is a book-length guilt trip.

From Los Angeles Times

"He was getting mad and aggressive and would guilt trip her," he said.

From BBC

When asked about Hollywood's efforts to increase the diversity of actors in its films, Kapur described it as "a guilt trip" and woke.

From BBC

But following the children in these fictions, who didn’t create the conditions of their suffering, isn’t just a devastating guilt trip.

From New York Times