take for
To suppose to be; mistake for; to perceive or understand as.
This idiom is usually used when someone is mistakenly perceived. A noun or pronoun must separate the idiom.
This idiom is usually used when someone is mistakenly perceived. A noun or pronoun must separate the idiom.
Do you take me for a fool?
At first sight you would take him for a football player, not a poet.
Because of his strong, muscular body, I took him for a professional athlete. As it turns out, he doesn’t play any professional sports.
What do you take me for – a fool? I don’t believe what you’re saying at all.
take heart
To be encouraged; feel braver and want to try.
The men took heart from their leader's words and went on to win the battle.
When we are in trouble we can take heart from the fact that things often seem worse than they are.
take heed
To pay attention; watch or listen carefully; notice.
Take heed not to spill coffee on the rug.
take hold of
To grasp; to grip with the hands.
The old man tried to keep himself from falling down the stairs, but there was no railing to take hold of.
You should take hold of the railing as you go down those steep stairs.
The blind man took hold of my arm as I led him across the street.
take ill
take sick
To become sick. Used in the passive with the same meaning.
Father took sick just before his birthday.
The man was taken ill on the train.
take in stride
To meet happenings without too much surprise; accept good or bad luck and go on.
He learned to take disappointments in stride.
take in tow
To take charge of; lead; conduct.
Brian and Kate took a group of children in tow when they went to see the circus.
take in
To include.
The country's boundaries were changed to take in a piece of land beyond the river.
The class of mammals takes in nearly all warm-blooded animals except the birds.
To go and see; visit.
The students decided to take in a movie while they were in town.
We planned to take in Niagara Palls and Yellowstone Park on our trip.
We decided to take in Toronto on our trip to Canada, and that is where we took in the most memorable outdoor stage play we have ever seen.
To make smaller.
This waistband is too big; it must be taken in about an inch.
They had to take in some sail to keep the ship from turning over in the storm.
Lois lost so much weight that she had her skirts and slacks taken in by her tailor.
To grasp with the mind; understand.
He didn't take in what he read because his mind was on something else.
He took in the situation at a glance.
To deceive; cheat; fool.
The teacher was taken in by the boy's innocent manner.
The fraudulent investment advisor took everyone in with his sincere manner and generous promises. Most investors lost all their money.
To accept without question; believe.
The magician did many tricks, and the children took it all in.
To receive; get.
The senior class held a dance to make money and took in over a hundred dollars.
Let come in; admit.
The farmer took in the lost travelers for the night.
When her husband died, Mrs. Smith took in boarders.
To see or hear with interest; pay close attention to.
When Bill told about his adventures, the other boys took it all in.