take someone at his word—assume that smb. means what he says and act accordingly, even if he may not have quite meant it: I was joking, but he took me at my word and arrived with a bag of sliced pork and herbs. take someone’s word—(also: take someone’s word for it) believe a person even […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Take shape vs Take the shape
take shape— 1. become definite in form or outline: In a short time the bag began to distend and then the balloon took shape and form. 2. reach the necessary standard; become complete: As Robin’s plan took shape we could appreciate the brilliance of its simplicity. take the shape—take the form of a particular thing: […]
Take service vs Take the service
take service —(dated) 1. become employed: Poor boys, of good families, will often take service as apprentices. 2. join a fighting force: Recollect, that, whatever general you take service under, you will follow him. take the service—conduct divine worship: I’m not going to church this evening. The Vicar is taking the service and I can’t […]
Take rank of someone vs Take rank with someone
take rank of someone—be of superior rank or status to a person: The first wife, however, takes rank of all the others, and is considered mistress of the house. take rank with someone—be of the same rank or status as smb.: Far better is it to dare mighty things, than to take rank with those […]
Take one’s stand vs Take the stand
take one’s stand—take one’s place or position: The players, except one, take their stand at one side, and one stands at the other side in front of them. take the stand— 1. (U.S. legal) come into the witness box to give testimony: The judge next asked the defendant to take the stand. 2. take one’s […]
Take one’s orders vs Take orders
take one’s orders—receive directions or commands: The civil patrol serves under the command of the chief commissioner, who takes his orders from the army command. take orders— 1. = take one’s orders: Jules had to take orders from him pretending to go along with him in his ridiculous schemes. 2. (also: take holy orders) become […]
Take one’s medicine vs Take one’s own medicine
take one’s medicine—submit to smth. unpleasant; accept the punishment which one deserves: You go back and take your medicine like a man. take one’s own medicine—(also: take a dose of one’s own medicine) receive treatment of the same disagreeable kind as one has given smb. else: Having the polygraph policy mandated by a Congress that […]
Take one’s measures vs Take someone’s measure
take one’s measures—take certain steps in regard to a given situation, problem, etc.: After five minutes’ troubled reflection, Klimper took his measures. With unusual difficulty he procured a private interview. take someone’s measure— 1. determine the different dimensions of a person’s body for clothes, etc.: The tailor took my measure. Reichmann told him it must […]
Take one’s life in both hands vs Take one’s life in one’s hands
take one’s life in both hands—(also: take one’s life with both hands) take control of one’s life instead of just letting things happen: Lelio is determined henceforth to take his life in both hands, but the past casts its shadow even now. take one’s life in one’s hands—risk losing one’s life: You take your life […]
Take one’s hour vs Take one’s time
take one’s hour—use an approximate period of time that one may need: Almost everything should be covered in the writing guide, so take your hour or two, and read it. take one’s time— 1. not hurry; be slow and careful: Just take your time and tell me clearly what happened. 2. (sarcastic) use more time […]
Take note of something vs Take notes of something
take note of something—(also: take notice of something ) take smth. seriously; pay close attention to smth.: I had to start taking some note of political developments. take notes of something—write smth. down so that one can refer to it later: Concentrate more on understanding and taking notes of key points.
Take needles vs Take the needle
take needles—receive treatment by injections: Two of them have type one diabetes, and have to take needles three times a day or more. take the needle—(U.S. Drug users) begin taking drugs by injection: They ended up taking the needle and catching some disease.