ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take it or leave it

idiom
Meaning

Denoting that a situation has to be accepted without change, or rejected outright.


Examples
SIMPLE

This is my final price, so take it or leave it.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager told the applicant that the salary was non-negotiable, so she had to take it or leave it.

COMPLEX

The terms of the contract were presented as an ultimatum, leaving the partners with no choice but to take it or leave it.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    be taken ill

    To become ill.

  2. 02

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  3. 03

    eat and leave no crumbs

    Synonym of eat (“to be very good at something; to rule; to rock”).

  4. 04

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  5. 05

    French leave

    A departure taken quietly and unnoticed, without asking for permission or informing anyone.

  6. 06

    get taken in

    To be fooled; to fall for.

  7. 07

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  8. 08

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

Last updated April 17, 2026