conflict of interest
1
a situation where someone's personal stake or potential gain from a decision may hinder their ability to make an unbiased or fair choice
The idiom 'conflict of interest' originated in the mid-20th century and is used in situations where individuals or entities have dual roles or interests that could potentially make it hard for them to be fair. It is often used in legal, ethical, and professional contexts where transparency, fairness, and honesty are crucial. It is a reminder to be careful when people have different interests that could get in the way of doing the right thing.
- The judge recused himself from the case due to a conflict of interest, as he was a shareholder in the company being sued.
- The sports coach faced allegations of favoritism and a potential conflict of interest when it was discovered that a family member was on the team.
- Her role as a journalist clashed with her personal friendship with the politician, resulting in a conflict of interest.
- The researcher's close family connection to a study subject prompted concerns about a conflict of interest in the research.