take someone at their word
The phrase "take someone at their word" implies believing or acting on what someone says without requiring further proof or verification.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(informal)To believe what someone says without seeking additional proof.
Example
- When she promised to help, I took her at her word and didn't ask for any more details.
B2General
(informal)To accept someone's statement literally, even if it was meant as a joke.
Example
- He said he could eat a whole pizza by himself, and we took him at his word and ordered one for him.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "take someone at their word":