take lightly

USAGE SUMMARY

"take lightly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean treating something as if it is unimportant or not serious. For example: "He took her feelings lightly, not realizing how much his words would hurt her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's an obligation Avakame doesn't take lightly.

Harvard University

It's not something that I take lightly.

The New York Times

Malaria scares are nothing to take lightly.

The New York Times

It's not something that we take lightly.

The New York Times

Carl doesn't take lightly to rivals.

The Guardian - Books

The show we didn't take lightly.

The New York Times

And it's nothing to take lightly.

The New Yorker

It's not a place you take lightly".

The New York Times

It's not something I take lightly nor give out easily.

The New Yorker

Taking over an institution like this he didn't take lightly.

The New York Times - Arts

This is not a concern to take lightly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take lightly" when you want to express that someone is not giving due importance or seriousness to a situation, task, or responsibility. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being underestimated.

Common error

Avoid using "take lightly" when you mean to completely ignore something. The phrase implies a degree of awareness, even if it's underestimated. If you want to convey that something or someone is completely avoided use alternatives like "disregard" or "overlook" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take lightly" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger verb construction (e.g., "don't take lightly", "didn't take lightly"). According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a manner of dealing with something, emphasizing a lack of due seriousness or concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

17%

Lifestyle

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take lightly" is a common and grammatically correct idiom that means to not treat something with the seriousness or importance it deserves. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to understand the nuances of the phrase and avoid misinterpreting its scope, as it implies a degree of awareness rather than complete ignorance. When writing, consider whether you wish to express an underestimation, or a complete lack of consideration; if you mean the latter, consider alternatives such as "disregard" or "overlook" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make light of

Similar in meaning but often used when joking about something serious.

not treat seriously

Directly negates the act of treating something with importance.

not give enough weight to

Emphasizes the lack of consideration given to something.

trivialize

Means to make something seem less important than it is.

underestimate

Focuses on the misjudgment of importance rather than the casual approach.

not attach importance to

Highlights the failure to recognize the significance of something.

not take into account

Focuses on failing to consider something relevant.

disregard

Implies ignoring or paying no attention to something.

dismiss

Implies rejecting something as unworthy of consideration.

overlook

Suggests failing to notice something important.

FAQs

What does it mean to "take something lightly"?

To "take something lightly" means to not treat it with the seriousness or importance it deserves. It implies underestimating its significance or potential consequences.

How can I use "take lightly" in a sentence?

You can use "take lightly" to describe someone's attitude or approach towards a situation. For example, "He didn't "take lightly" the responsibility of being a team leader."

What's the difference between "take lightly" and "take seriously"?

"Take lightly" is the opposite of "take seriously". To "take lightly" means to underestimate or not give enough importance to something, while to "take seriously" means to treat it with the appropriate level of importance and attention.

Are there situations where it's appropriate to "take something lightly"?

While it's generally important to be responsible and attentive, there might be situations where not dwelling on minor issues or stresses can be beneficial for mental well-being. However, it's crucial to discern between trivial matters and important concerns that require serious attention.