take lightly
Not treat seriously
To take lightly is to treat something as unimportant or not serious: Don't take this warning lightly.
The phrase usually appears in the negative—advice not to underestimate something's gravity.
She doesn't take her responsibilities lightly means she treats them with appropriate seriousness.
To take someone lightly is to underestimate them: They took the challenger lightly and paid for it.
Dismissive rejection of someone
- shrug offDismiss as unimportant
- dismissSend away or reject
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
- trivializeMake light of
underestimate · undervalue · discount · belittle · gloss over · minimize · wave away · laugh off
Superficially articulate
- offhandCasually unrehearsed
- cavalierDismissively unconcerned
- irreverentDisrespectful toward authority
- facetiousHumorously inappropriate or glib
frivolous · unserious · flip · giddy · playful · joking · jesting · tongue-in-cheek
Calmly unconcerned
- breezyMildly windy, or nonchalant
- laid-backCalm and unhurried
- easygoingRelaxed in temperament
- carefreeFree from anxiety
relaxed · blithe · insouciant · light-hearted · unbothered · unfazed · unworried · untroubled
Without feeling or concern
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- disinterestedFree from personal stakes
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- impassiveWithout visible emotion
unmoved · blasé · lukewarm · half-hearted · passive · tepid · unresponsive · phlegmatic
brush off
Dismissive rejection of someone
trivialize · underestimate · undervalue · discount · belittle · gloss over · minimize · wave away · laugh off · make light of
glib
Superficially articulate
- offhandCasually unrehearsed
- cavalierDismissively unconcerned
- irreverentDisrespectful toward authority
facetious · frivolous · unserious · flip · giddy · playful · joking · jesting · tongue-in-cheek · whimsical
nonchalant
Calmly unconcerned
carefree · relaxed · blithe · insouciant · light-hearted · unbothered · unfazed · unworried · untroubled · cool
apathetic
Without feeling or concern
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- disinterestedFree from personal stakes
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
impassive · unmoved · blasé · lukewarm · half-hearted · passive · tepid · unresponsive · phlegmatic · stoic
take lightlytake seriously
Treat as significant
take to heart · give weight to · heed · respect · value
take, mistake, taken, lightly, taking, mistaken, overtake, takes, mistakes