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3. take at word

take at word

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take somebody at their word

to decide to believe exactly what someone tells you, even if it does not seem likely to be true When he said he'd give me a job, I took him at his word and turned up the next day at his office.

See also: take, word

take at (someone's) word

To be convinced of another's sincerity and act in accord with his or her statement: We took them at their word that the job would be done on time.

See also: take, word