take lightly
idiom
: to not treat seriously
My doctor took my concerns lightly, telling me not to worry too much.
—usually used in negative statementsThis is a serious problem that should not be taken lightly.
Examples of take lightly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The opportunity to compete for the United States on the world’s biggest athletic stage is one the players don’t take lightly.
—
Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2024
Highlighting other Miami chefs is a responsibility Chang doesn’t take lightly.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 21 June 2024
Taiwan’s status remains a very sensitive issue for Beijing, something that Washington should never take lightly.
—Zhou Bo, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2024
The luxurious, eclectic insides of a tent at Duba Plains Camp
Courtesy Great Plains Conservation
Days 4 - 6
Flying over an enormous bushfire on the way to Duba Plains Camp is the first of many reminders that this vast ecosystem is not something to take lightly.
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for take lightly 
Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2024
Highlighting other Miami chefs is a responsibility Chang doesn’t take lightly.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 21 June 2024
Taiwan’s status remains a very sensitive issue for Beijing, something that Washington should never take lightly.
—Zhou Bo, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2024
The luxurious, eclectic insides of a tent at Duba Plains Camp
Courtesy Great Plains Conservation
Days 4 - 6
Flying over an enormous bushfire on the way to Duba Plains Camp is the first of many reminders that this vast ecosystem is not something to take lightly.
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for take lightly
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take lightly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near take lightly
Cite this Entry
“Take lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20lightly. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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