take for

verb

took for; taken for; taking for; takes for

transitive verb

: to suppose (someone) to be (a particular kind of person) : to perceive (someone) as (something)

What do you take me for?

"I think I do understand. I'm not such a dull fellow as you take me for."

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

… a usually commonsensical fellow who was anything but the … clod some people took him for.

—Robert Sherrill

Please do not take me for a wimp—one of those pallid, selfless creatures who shuns disagreements entirely.

—Maggie Scarf

Examples of take for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those were the conclusions of a survey taken for the Los Angeles Times. —Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024

Israeli authorities released 101 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom were taken for medical treatment in Rafah, Al Jazeera reported, citing Gaza’s General Administration of Crossings and Borders. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

Your periods may also be affected by hormones taken for birth control or pregnancy. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Apr. 2024

The promising side of the CSO’s investment in Mäkelä’s appointment is that his restless energy and upward drive could be taken for its own. —Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024

For his regular fans, Mr. Paniagua is giving people the chance to appreciate something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. —Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2024

The result is a contemporary take on the all-gold watch that is far less flashy than standard yellow or pink gold, but more interesting than white gold, which can be taken for steel. —Carol Besler, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

So Golden State’s 18-point win over Charlotte (18-55) Friday night was not one Curry took for granted, particularly since the Warriors (39-34) are in a dogfight for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2024

As the rescue teams searched, the dramatic and horrific collapse — which sent several vehicles into the Patapsco River — has been a sobering reminder to officials and motorists everywhere of the importance of bridge and waterway safety, which often is taken for granted. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined above