ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take it easy

idiom
Meaning

To relax or rest.


Origin

disputed origin

From take easy + it.

Examples
SIMPLE

You look tired — take it easy tonight.

CONTEXTUAL

After working overtime all week, he decided to take it easy and stay home on Saturday.

COMPLEX

The doctor told her to take it easy for a few days, warning that stress could delay her recovery.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    be taken ill

    To become ill.

  2. 02

    breathe easy

    To relax or feel secure about something.

  3. 03

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  4. 04

    easier said than done

    Easy to propose, but difficult to accomplish.

  5. 05

    easy come, easy go

    Easily won and easily lost (usually said when resigned to a loss; something that comes in the same way, goes in the same way)

  6. 06

    easy does it

    Relax; do something gently, lightly or carefully; slow down; calm down.

  7. 07

    easy mark

    Someone who is easily fooled or victimized.

  8. 08

    easy money

    Money that is easily acquired.

Last updated April 17, 2026