What does taking for granted mean Meaning and Definition
What does taking for granted mean
Pronunciation
/tæˈkeɪɪŋˈfɔːrˈɡræntɪd/
Part of Speech
Idiomatic phrase
Definition
Something that is taken for granted is an assumption or a fact that is considered to be true or obvious, but is often overlooked or not fully appreciated.
Phrasal verb: to take something for granted means to assume something is true or will happen without questioning or considering it carefully.
Examples
- You take your health for granted when you don’t exercise regularly.
- She took her family’s love and support for granted until they were gone.
Synonyms
- Assume
- Overlook
Antonyms
- Appreciate
- Reward
Etymology
The phrase ‘take for granted’ originated in the 16th century and is believed to have come from the idea of taking something as a loan, with the assumption that it would be repaid. The phrase may have initially meant ‘to take credit for’ or ‘to assume as a given’, but over time it evolved to mean ‘to assume something is true or will happen without questioning or considering it carefully’.
Usage Notes
The phrase ‘take for granted’ is often used in informal conversations and writing, but it can also be used in formal contexts to convey a sense of assumption or oversight. When using the phrase, it’s essential to be aware of the context and audience to avoid any potential misinterpretation.
Cultural References
The phrase ‘take for granted’ has been used in various cultural references, including literature, music, and film. For example, in William Shakespeare’s play ‘Hamlet’, the character Hamlet says “I take it for granted that upon the first trial there shall be errors; if so, the laws in such cases made to mitigate them, shall extend to mitigation, till the second trial.” This quote illustrates how the phrase has been used in literary contexts to convey the idea of taking something for granted.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Take with a grain of salt
- Don’t take it personally
- Don’t take yourself too seriously
Related Words or Phrases
- Assume
- Presume
- Overlook
- Overvalue
Collocations
- Take for granted that…
- Take something for granted at your own peril
- Carelessly take for granted
Frequency of Use
The phrase ‘take for granted’ is a common fixed expression in modern language, used in both formal and informal contexts. According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, the phrase is used in approximately 1.4% of all written and spoken English texts.
Common Misspellings
- takeing for granted
- takeing for grantid
- takeing somethin for granted