Take for an idiot Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈteɪk/ /ˈfɔɹ/, /fɝ/, /fɹɝ/ /ˈæn/, /ən/ /ˈɪˌdiət

TAYK-fer-uh-NID-ee-uht

UK

tˈeɪk/ /fˈɔː/ /ˈɐn/ /ˈɪdɪət

TAYK-faw-uh-NID-ee-uht

Definition

To believe someone is not intelligent, or to treat them as if they are stupid; often used when you feel disrespected or underestimated.

Usage & Nuances

'Take for an idiot' is informal and shows annoyance or offense when you feel someone underestimates you. Commonly used with 'do you' questions: 'Do you take me for an idiot?' Avoid in formal settings. Similar phrases: 'treat like a fool'.

• Spanish: tomar por un idiota
• Portuguese (BR): achar que alguém é idiota - tratar como idiota
• Portuguese (PT): achar que alguém é idiota - tratar como idiota
• Chinese (Simplified): 把（某人）当傻子
• Chinese (Traditional): 把（某人）當傻子
• Hindi: किसी को बेवकूफ समझना
• Arabic: يعتبر (شخصاً) أحمق
• Bengali: বোকা ভাবে নেওয়া - বোকা মনে করা
• Russian: держать за идиота - принимать за дурака
• Japanese: バカにする - バカ扱いする
• Vietnamese: xem như kẻ ngốc - coi là kẻ ngốc
• Korean: 바보로 여기다 - 멍청이로 취급하다
• Turkish: aptal yerine koymak
• Urdu: بیوقوف سمجھنا - احمق سمجھنا
• Indonesian: menganggap bodoh - mengira orang bodoh

Example Sentences

Don't take me for an idiot; I know what's going on.

basic

She felt her boss took her for an idiot during the meeting.

basic

Kids sometimes think adults take them for idiots.

basic

Do you really take me for an idiot, or are you just joking?

natural

Whenever someone lies to me, I feel like they take me for an idiot.

natural

If you keep explaining everything like that, you'll take your audience for idiots.

natural