credibility gap

American  

noun

1. a lack of popular confidence in the truth of the claims or public statements made by the federal government, large corporations, politicians, etc..

   a credibility gap between the public and the power company.

2. a perceived discrepancy between statements and actual performance or behavior.

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credibility gap British  

noun

1. a disparity between claims or statements made and the evident facts of the situation or circumstances to which they relate

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credibility gap Idioms  

1. Distrust of a public statement or position, as in The current credibility gap at City Hall is the result of miscommunication between the mayor's office and the press. This term originated about 1960 in connection with the American public's disinclination to believe government statements about the Vietnam War. It soon was extended to individuals and corporations as well as government agencies to express a lack of confidence in the truth of their statements, or perception of a discrepancy between words and actions.

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Etymology

Origin of credibility gap

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Example Sentences

Some in the party would still like to see the Lib Dems champion rejoining the EU, but there's also a view that a new offering of policies is needed to bridge what Prof Russell calls the "credibility gap".

From BBC

Asked about Maslin’s survey, one Caruso advisor said politicians at every level of government, not just the city, are experiencing “a huge credibility gap.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I was fortunate to have a strong personal network that helped me get past the credibility gap” that any political novice must overcome.

From Science Magazine

“On top of that, there’s an enormous credibility gap and radical distrust of other sources of information. And that’s compounded by the fact that the president has no standards and is surrounded by these clownish people who will say anything. It’s a toxic stew.”

From New York Times

Trump’s salesmanship also risks opening a credibility gap between his rosy comments and reality.

From Washington Post