take one at word
take (one) at (one's) word
To accept what one says without further verifying or investigating. Why some people take that pundit at his word is beyond me. He clearly has an ulterior motive. You're right to be wary, but, in this case, I think we can take John at his word. He's just trying to help.
See also: take, word
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
take one at one's word
to believe what someone says and act accordingly. She told me to go jump in the lake, and I took her at her word. You shouldn't take her at her word. She frequently says things she doesn't really mean.
See also: one, take, word
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- take (one) at (one's) word
- take at word
- take somebody at their word
- take someone at his or her word
- take someone at their word
- take someone's word
- take somebody's word for it
- take my word for it
- take (one's) word
- take (one's) word on it