take it easy
take it easy (idiom)
/ˌteɪk ɪt ˈiːzi/
Meanings
- To relax, rest, or not overexert oneself.
- To remain calm and avoid stress or worry.
- To act gently or not be harsh with someone or something.
- To say goodbye in a casual and friendly way (informal).
Synonyms: relax; calm down; chill; unwind; rest; loosen up; go easy.
Example Sentences
- After working all week, she decided to take it easy on Sunday and watch movies at home.
- He was nervous before the exam, but his teacher told him to take it easy and trust his preparation.
- The doctor asked him to take it easy on his knee until it fully healed.
- “See you later, man—take it easy!” his friend said as they parted ways.
Origin and History
The phrase “take it easy” emerged as a colloquial expression in English during the early nineteenth century, conveying a sense of relaxation or moderation in one’s actions. Etymologically, it draws from the adjective “easy,” which traces back to Old French roots meaning comfortable or free from discomfort, evolving through Middle English to denote simplicity or lack of effort. The construction “take it easy” likely arose from imperative forms encouraging restraint, blending the verb “take” in its figurative sense of adopting a particular approach with “easy” as an adverbial modifier. Scholars suggest this idiomatic usage reflects broader linguistic shifts toward informal speech patterns in the period, where phrases urged calmness amid social or personal tensions.
Historical Development and Theories
Throughout its history, “take it easy” has been interpreted in multiple ways, primarily as an exhortation to relax, slow down, or avoid overexertion, though it occasionally implies farewell with a wish for well-being.
One prevailing belief posits its roots in everyday interactions, possibly influenced by equestrian or labor contexts where “easy” advised gentle handling to prevent strain, evolving into a general proverb for leisure.
Another theory links it to cultural attitudes toward idleness in industrializing societies, where the phrase critiqued or endorsed taking respite from rigorous work. By the mid-nineteenth century, it gained traction in literature and oral traditions, symbolizing a laid-back philosophy that contrasted with era’s emphasis on diligence.
Over time, its adoption in American vernacular amplified its casual tone, associating it with informal goodbyes and stress relief in popular culture.
Country of First Appearance
The phrase first appeared in the United Kingdom, where early documented uses reflect British literary and journalistic styles of the early 1800s. Its origins align with English-language developments in Britain, though it quickly crossed to American contexts, becoming a staple of transatlantic idiom by the late nineteenth century. This initial emergence in Britain underscores the phrase’s ties to evolving social norms in English-speaking Europe before wider dissemination.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest known printed instance of “take it easy” occurs in the 1835 novel The Gipsy: A Tale by George Payne Rainsford James, published in London. In the work, an elderly character addresses a young companion amid a moment of agitation, stating:
“Take it easy, take it easy, Dickon, my chick… never let’s kick up a row among ourselves.”
This quotation illustrates the phrase’s use to soothe and prevent conflict, marking its debut in narrative prose as a tool for interpersonal moderation. The publication date aligns with broader patterns of idiomatic innovation in Regency and Victorian-era writing.
Variants
- take things easy
- take it easy on (someone/something)
Similar Idioms
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