Definition
I take you at your word: To believe someone, to regard someone as trustworthy.
Origins and Usages
This locution dates back to the sixteenth century, making notable appearances, such as in:
-
Miles Coverdale’s translation of the Bible (1535)
-
Shakespeare’s Plays:
- Romeo and Juliet: “I take thee at thy word,” (Act 2, Scene 2)
Related Terms, Proverbs, and Expressions
- Put your money where your mouth is - Synonym: To back up one’s words with actions.
- A man is as good as his word - Idiom: To be trustworthy.
- My word is my bond - Expression: A person’s promise is as guaranteed as a written contract.
Amusing Proverb
- “Take a man by his word, and a cow by her horne.” – Scottish Proverb quoted in David Ferguson’s Scottish Proverbs (1595).
Quotes on Trust and Word
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“When one with honeyed words but evil mind persuades the mob, great woes befall the state.” – Euripides
References
- Shakespeare: might we suggest reading Romeo and Juliet? It’s laden with trust issues and miscommunications galore!
- Proverbs: David Ferguson’s Scottish Proverbs (1595).
Literature, books, songs, poetry, and movies
- Books: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.
- Poetry: Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey by William Wordsworth, which explores themes of memory, meaning, and trust.
- Songs: I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye – This song delves into issues of trust and the impact of rumors.
- Movies: Trust (1990) directed by Hal Hartley – A brilliant film exploring the themes of trust and reliability in human relationships.
### Which is an actual Shakespeare quote?
- [ ] I believe thee like the wind;
- [ ] A trust so fragile it may break;
- [x] I take thee at thy word;
- [ ] Thee whose mouth speaks truth;
> **Explanation:** "I take thee at thy word," is from *Romeo and Juliet*, Act 2, Scene 2.
### Which idiom means to support your claims with action?
- [x] Put your money where your mouth is;
- [ ] Trust not the whispering wind;
- [ ] Place faith in the moon’s light;
- [ ] Cling to the spoken promise;
> **Explanation:** "Put your money where your mouth is" means to back up one’s words with actions.
### True or False: "My word is my bond" suggests a person’s promise is as reliable as a written contract
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True, this idiom suggests that a person's promise is as guaranteed as a written contract.
Farewell Thought
As we journey through the labyrinth of words and their meanings, remember that language, much like life, thrives on trust, honor, and sometimes, a hearty dash of humor. Continue exploring, questioning, and most importantly, believing in the nuances of communication.
- P.T. Pithsworth
