IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishtake someone at their word
Meaning: To believe someone, or to act on exactly what they said.
Example: “He offered to cover my shift, so I took him at his word.”
Origin: Holding someone to their spoken promise. The phrase is found from the 16th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Prendre au mot Literally: To take at the word
More English idioms
- talk the hind legs off a donkey To talk endlessly.
- an eye for an eye Punishment should match the injury; revenge in kind.
- scream blue murder To protest very loudly.
- jump through hoops To go through many difficult or pointless steps to get something.
- grease someone's palm To bribe someone.
- set the record straight To correct a mistaken account or misunderstanding.
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