vote of no confidence

[ vohtuhv noh-kon-fi-duhns ]

/ ˈvoʊt əv ˈnoʊ ˈkɒn fɪ dəns /

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noun

(in a legislative or similar body) a formal vote, especially after the introduction of a budget or other crucial and controversial piece of policy, taken with the intent of establishing that the majority of members are no longer prepared to allow the party or person in power to continue governing:The board of directors survived a vote of no confidence Wednesday.Prime Minister Cîtu's cabinet was the sixth in post-Communist Romania to be dismissed following a vote of no confidence.

any other formal vote, as in a general election, in which the majority votes against the person or party in power:The election was a clear vote of no confidence in the PM—not only did his party lose, but he lost his own seat.

any expression of lack of support or confidence:He says the existence of militias in his country is a vote of no confidence in the government's ability to provide justice and security.

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Origin of vote of no confidence

First recorded in 1830–40

Words nearby vote of no confidence

vo-tech, vote down, vote-getter, voteless, vote of confidence, vote of no confidence, vote of non-confidence, voter, vote with one's feet, voting machine, voting paper

How to use vote of no confidence in a sentence

Weiss is likely to get confirmed even as Warren and a handful of other progressive Democrats vote no.
Sen. Warren’s Main Street Crusade to Pressure Clinton|Eleanor Clift|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Asian-Americans may vote for Democrats now, but they are a highly persuadable—and growing—part of the electorate.
Asian-Americans Are The New Florida|Tim Mak|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In 1992, Republican George H.W. Bush won the Asian-American vote by 24 points.
Asian-Americans Are The New Florida|Tim Mak|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
By 2012, Democratic President Barack Obama owned the Asian-American vote, winning it by 47 percentage points.
Asian-Americans Are The New Florida|Tim Mak|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

But after winning 55 percent of the white vote, Duke had a database of supporters some politicians coveted.
The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence|Jason Berry|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
With childlike confidence he follows the advice of some more or less honest dealer.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
We have been in the profession some years, Mr. Pickwick, and have been honoured with the confidence of many excellent clients.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
She embraced Otteline; and gave him her hand to kiss, with repeated expressions of future confidence in the husband of her friend.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Her work is full of life and strength, and her touch shows her confidence in herself and her technical knowledge.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
Not more than one adult worker in ten—so at least it might with confidence be estimated—is employed on necessary things.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock

British Dictionary definitions for vote of no confidence

vote of no confidence

noun

parliament a vote on a motion put by the Opposition censuring an aspect of the Government's policy; if the motion is carried the Government is obliged to resignAlso called: vote of censure

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012