take it or leave it

Meaning

This phrase is used to express that an offer is final and non-negotiable. You must either accept the terms exactly as they are or decline them completely. It carries a firm, direct, and sometimes slightly aggressive or impatient tone.

Examples

• That's my final offer for the car: five thousand dollars, take it or leave it.

  That's my final offer for the car: five thousand dollars, take it or leave it.

• They offered me a basic salary with no benefits, take it or leave it.

  They offered me a basic salary with no benefits, take it or leave it.

• I can help you move on Saturday, but only in the morning—take it or leave it.

  I can help you move on Saturday, but only in the morning—take it or leave it.

• He told me that those were the house rules, take it or leave it.

  He told me that those were the house rules, take it or leave it.

• We only have one room left with a single bed; you can take it or leave it.

  We only have one room left with a single bed; you can take it or leave it.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ This is my price, take it or lose it.

  ✓ This is my price, take it or leave it.

  The correct verb is 'leave', meaning to walk away from the offer, not 'lose'.

• ✗ You have to take or leave it.

  ✓ You have to take it or leave it.

  Do not drop the first 'it'. The full phrase is 'take it or leave it'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I'll sell you this bike for fifty bucks, ___.

  💡 Accept this final offer or get nothing.

  Show answer

  take it or leave it

• The landlord told us the rent is non-negotiable—we can ___.

  💡 Accept the terms or walk away.

  Show answer

  take it or leave it