take in vain

idiomatic phrase

: to use (a name) profanely or without proper respect

took the name of the Lord in vain

… I was mercifully preserved by that great God whose name they had blasphemed and taken in vain …

—Daniel Defoe

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take in vain

• cyclopropane
• isobutane
• legerdemain
• nitromethane
• ultramontane
• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane