take it easy

IPA/tˈeɪk ɪt ˈiːzi/
IPA/tˈeɪk ɪɾ ˈiːzi/

take it easy — idiom

1. to rest and not push yourself with tiring work or activity.

1.慣用語B1
釋義

to rest and not push yourself with tiring work or activity.

例句

After the marathon, Kofi spent the whole weekend taking it easy at home.

take it easy after physical effort

The doctor told Renata to take it easy for two weeks after her surgery.

tell someone to take it easy for + time period

同義詞
  • relax

    more neutral; can be a single verb in any register

  • rest up

    informal; stresses recovering after illness or hard effort

  • slow down

    focuses on reducing pace rather than stopping fully

反義詞

文法句型

take it easy for + time period

tell someone to take it easy

用法筆記

Often said as friendly advice to someone who is working too hard or recovering from illness. Frequently followed by a time phrase such as 'for a few days'.

常見錯誤

Incorrect: 'You should take easy this weekend.' Correct: 'You should take it easy this weekend.' — the word 'it' cannot be dropped from this idiom.

2. to stop being angry, worried, or too excited, and become calmer.

2.慣用語B1
釋義

to stop being angry, worried, or too excited, and become calmer.

例句

Take it easy, Omar — shouting at the referee will not change the score.

Take it easy! used to calm an angry person

Beatrix told her little brother to take it easy after his toy broke.

tell someone to take it easy

同義詞
  • calm down

    very common; directly tells someone to stop being upset

  • relax

    softer; can mean stop worrying as well as rest

  • cool it

    informal; tells an angry person to stop

反義詞

文法句型

Take it easy! (as a calming command)

tell someone to take it easy

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about calming strong feelings, not about physical rest. It is most often said to a person who is angry, upset, or panicking.

常見錯誤

Incorrect: 'Take it easily, there is no rush.' Correct: 'Take it easy, there is no rush.' — the fixed idiom uses 'easy', not 'easily'.