take someone at their word
Believe without proof
To take someone at their word is to believe what they say without requiring proof or reading between the lines: She said she'd pay me back, so I took her at her word.
The phrase implies trust—sometimes warranted, sometimes naive.
It can carry a hint of warning: Be careful taking him at his word.
- rely onTrust for support
- take at face valueAccept without deeper analysis
- believeAccept as true
- take on trustAccept without verification
- benefit of the doubtFavorable judgment amid uncertainty
count on · credence · veracity · accept · trust · no questions asked · honesty · sincerity · man of his word · promise · word of honor · pinky promise · cross my heart · scout's honor · credulousness · declaration · assertion · faith
verification behavior
take someone at their wordfact-check
Confirm information accuracy
investigate · double-check · cross-examine · trust but verify · hold someone's feet to the fire