take it easy

Meaning

This common phrase has a few closely related meanings. It can mean to relax and rest, to avoid working too hard, or to calm down when angry or excited. It is also very frequently used as an informal, friendly way to say goodbye.

Examples

• You've been working twelve-hour days all week; you need to take it easy this weekend.

  You've been working twelve-hour days all week; you need to take it easy this weekend.

• Take it easy! There's no need to raise your voice over a simple misunderstanding.

  Take it easy! There's no need to raise your voice over a simple misunderstanding.

• I'm just going to stay home tonight and take it easy with a good book.

  I'm just going to stay home tonight and take it easy with a good book.

• Alright, I'm heading out now. Take it easy, guys!

  Alright, I'm heading out now. Take it easy, guys!

• The doctor told him to take it easy for a few weeks after his knee surgery.

  The doctor told him to take it easy for a few weeks after his knee surgery.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will take easy this weekend.

  ✓ I will take it easy this weekend.

  The pronoun 'it' is an essential part of this idiom and cannot be omitted.

• ✗ Take it easily, don't get so angry!

  ✓ Take it easy, don't get so angry!

  Learners often turn 'easy' into the adverb 'easily,' but the idiomatic expression always uses the adjective form 'easy.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• See you later, Mark! ___!

  💡 A casual way to say goodbye.

  Show answer

  Take it easy

• If you feel sick, you should just stay in bed and ___.

  💡 Rest and avoid exerting yourself.

  Show answer

  take it easy