take lightly: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    General EnglishNorth AmericaUnited Kingdomneutralinformalformal
    • To treat something as unimportant or to regard it with insufficient seriousness; to underestimate the significance or consequences of something.

    Examples

    Beta

    • Don’t take lightly the warnings about the storm; it could cause serious damage.

      No tomes a la ligera las advertencias sobre la tormenta; podría causar daños graves.

    • She took lightly the consequences of missing the deadline and ended up losing the client.

      Ella subestimó las consecuencias de no cumplir con la fecha límite y terminó perdiendo al cliente.

    • If we take lightly the spread of the disease, many more people will get sick.

      Si tomamos a la ligera la propagación de la enfermedad, muchas más personas se enfermarán.

  • 2.

    General EnglishNorth AmericaUnited Kingdomneutralinformalformal
    • Used in negative constructions (e.g., 'do not take lightly') to indicate that something is regarded with seriousness or solemn consideration.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The doctors told us not to take his symptoms lightly, as they could indicate a serious condition.

      Los médicos nos dijeron que no tomáramos a la ligera sus síntomas, ya que podrían indicar una condición grave.

    • You shouldn't take lightly the warnings about the storm; it's better to be safe than sorry.

      No deberías tomar a la ligera las advertencias sobre la tormenta; es mejor prevenir que lamentar.

    • She made it clear that the consequences of cheating on the exam should not be taken lightly.

      Ella dejó claro que no se deben tomar a la ligera las consecuencias de hacer trampa en el examen.

Examples:

  • EN: You take lightly the looting of our reserves.
    ES: Se toma a la ligera el saqueo de nuestras reservas.
  • EN: It is you I take lightly.
    ES: Es a usted a quien me tomo a la ligera.
  • EN: He's not someone to take lightly.
    ES: Y no se lo tome a la ligera.
  • EN: At any rate, she's my responsibility... and it's a responsibility I do not take lightly.
    ES: Ella es mi responsabilidad... y no tomo esta responsabilidad a la ligera.
  • EN: It's an honor I don't take lightly.
    ES: Es un honor que no tomo a la ligera.
  • EN: My word's not something I take lightly, George. You should know that.
    ES: No me tomo mi palabra en vano, George, deberías saberlo.
  • EN: Friendship is something I don't take lightly.
    ES: No tomo la amistad a la ligera.
  • EN: Local authorities are working diligently to find the base of operations and the FBI is investigating the reality of the aleged "splatter videos" the FCC wants it known that it does not take lightly to this sort of flagrant disregard of cable regulations
    ES: Las autoridades locales están trabajando para encontrar su base de operaciones y el FBI está investigando si son reales los videos sangrientos. La asociación de cables quiere que se sepa que no es de su agrado este tipo de violación a las regulaciones del cable.
  • EN: This is not an action that I wish to take or take lightly... but we musn't do anything to give the impression... we approve of what is going on.
    ES: Esta no es una acción que quiero tomar sin pensarla bien... pero no hagamos nada que dé la impresión... de que aprobamos lo que está pasando.
  • EN: I still could not take lightly... the idea that people made love without me.
    ES: Aún no podía tomarme a la ligera que la gente hiciera el amor sin mí.
  • EN: A restaurant is serious business you can't take lightly.
    ES: Un restaurante es un asunto serio.
  • EN: It's a responsibility I don't take lightly.
    ES: Es una responsabilidad que no me tomo a la ligera.
  • EN: But I must warn you, these people will not take lightly to being made fools of, you should understand that in this country, perjury is a hanging offense.
    ES: Pero debo advertirles que esta gente no se tomará a la ligera Para que te hagan el ridículo, debes entender que en este país el perjurio es un delito de pena de horca.
  • EN: Killing is not something I take lightly.
    ES: El matar no es algo que tome a la ligera.
  • EN: It may not be that serious, but it's nothing to take lightly.
    ES: No es grave, pero con esas cosas no hay que jugar.
  • EN: It may not be that serious, but it's nothing to take lightly.
    ES: No es grave, pero con esas cosas no hay que jugar.

Related Idioms

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Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

take lightly: Meaning, Examples & Usage (English) | Idiomator