take someone at their word Definition

word
noun

1. The smallest unit of spoken or written language that can be used independently, usually separated off by spaces in writing and printing.

Thesaurus: expression, form, name, term, designation, concept, lexical form, definiendum.
2. A brief conversation on a particular matter.
3. Any brief statement, message or communication.

Example: a word of caution
4. News or notice.

Example: any word of Jane?
Example: She sent word she'd arrive tomorrow
Thesaurus: report, news, information, tidings, message, announcement, account, advice, intelligence.
5. A rumour.

Example: The word is he's bankrupt
Thesaurus: information, knowledge, truth, the facts, the lowdown (slang).
6. One's solemn promise.

Thesaurus: promise, pledge, declaration, commitment, word of honour.
7. An order.

Example: expects her word to be obeyed
8. A word given as a signal for action.

Example: Wait till I give the word
9. What someone says or said.

Example: remembered her mother's words
10. Language as a means of communication.

Example: impossible to convey in words
Form: words
11. An argument or heated discussion; verbal contention.

Example: We had words when he returned
Thesaurus: dispute, argument, contention, wrangle, quarrel, tiff.
Form: words
12. Discussion in contrast to action.

Example: Words alone will get us nowhere
Thesaurus: conversation, discussion, chat, communication.
Form: words
13a. The lyrics of a song, etc;

Form: words
13b. The speeches an actor must learn for a particular part.

Form: words
14. Christianity.
The teachings contained in the Bible.
Form: the Word
15. A watchword.

Example: mum's the word
16a. computing.
A group of bits or bytes that can be processed as a single unit by a computer, the size of a word varying according to the size of the computer;
16b. computing.
In word processing: any group of characters separated from other such groups by spaces or punctuation, whether or not it is a real word.
17. Used after a letter and preceded by the (sense 4a) indicating something unmentionable or taboo beginning with that letter the m-word (for ‘marriage') the c-word (for ‘cancer').

verb

worded, wording
1. To express something in carefully chosen words.

Thesaurus: express, say, put in words, write, phrase, explain, couch.

Idiom: a good word

A recommendation, praise, etc.
Example: not a good word to say about anyone
Thesaurus: endorsement, testimonial, recommendation, support, boost, plug (slang).

Idiom: as good as one's word

Careful to keep one's promise.

Idiom: a word in someone's ear

A confidential or private conversation.

Idiom: break one's word

To fail to keep or fulfil one's promise.

Idiom: by word of mouth

See under word of mouth.

Idiom: have a word with someone

To speak with them, usually for a specific reason.

Idiom: have no words for someone or something

To be at a loss to describe or express them or it.

Idiom: have words with someone

colloq
To quarrel with them.
Thesaurus: argue, differ with, bicker, fight, quarrel, disagree.

Idiom: in a word

Briefly; in short.
Thesaurus: briefly, succinctly, in short, in a nutshell, thus, viz.

Idiom: in other words

Saying the same thing in a different way.

Idiom: in so many words

Explicitly; bluntly.

Idiom: my word (upon my word)

An exclamation of surprise.

Idiom: not the word for it

Not a strong enough expression for it.
Example: Stupid isn't the word for it

Idiom: of many words (of few words)

Inclined to be talkative or reserved.

Idiom: put in a good word for someone

To recommend or mention them favourably to someone who could benefit them in some way.

Idiom: put words into someone's mouth

To attribute or supply to them words that they did not, or do not intend to, use.

Idiom: say the word

To give one's consent or approval for some action to proceed.

Idiom: take someone at their word

To take their offer or suggestion, etc literally.

Idiom: take someone's word for it

To accept what they say as true, without verification.

Idiom: take the words out of someone's mouth

To say exactly what they were about to say.

Idiom: the last word

The final, especially conclusive, remark or comment in an argument.

The most up-to-date design or model, or most recent advance in something.

The finest example of eg a particular quality, etc.
Example: the last word in good taste

Idiom: too funny for words (too stupid etc for words)

colloq
Exceptionally or extremely funny or stupid, etc.

Idiom: word for word

Said of a statement, etc: repeated in exactly the same words, or translated into exactly corresponding words; verbatim.
Thesaurus: verbatim, exactly, literally, accurately, precisely.

Derivative: word of honour

See separate entry.

Idiom: words fail me

I am unable to express my feelings or reaction.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon.