take on faith: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘take on faith’ mean?
The idiom "take on faith" means to believe or accept something without evidence or proof.
It implies trusting someone or something blindly, without questioning or doubting.
It often applies to beliefs, ideas, or statements that are not easily verifiable.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "vouch for" means to give personal assurance or support for someone or something, usually by asserting their trustworthiness or reliability.
The idiom "tempt fate" means to take unnecessary risks or challenge the possibility of something bad happening.
The idiom "talk the talk" means to speak in a way that conveys knowledge or confidence about a particular subject, but without necessarily taking any action or having the actual skills or experience to back it up.
The idiom "take on water" means to accumulate problems or difficulties, often referring to a situation that is deteriorating or becoming unsustainable.
"Take on the chin" means to bravely and stoically accept a difficult or unpleasant situation, especially when facing criticism, defeat, or adversity.
The idiom "take one's courage in both hands" means to summon up one's bravery and face a challenging or intimidating situation directly and confidently.
The idiom "take one's chance" means to seize or accept an opportunity or risk without knowing the outcome. It implies a willingness to try despite the uncertainty or potential for failure.
The idiom "take on" means to assume responsibility or an undertaking. It can also mean to confront or challenge someone or something.
The idiom "take matters into one's own hands" means to personally handle or assume responsibility for a situation instead of relying on others to do so.
The idiom "take lightly" means to not take something seriously or to underestimate its importance or impact.
Deciphering Belief
The idiom "take on faith" is a commonly used phrase in the English language. It is a way of believing or accepting something without evidence or proof.
When someone uses this idiom, they are essentially expressing their willingness to believe or accept something without tangible evidence or proof. This can be applied to various situations, such as accepting a statement as true, trusting someone's judgment or opinion, or having confidence in a particular outcome or result.
The origin of the idiom "take on faith" is difficult to trace definitively. However, it can be understood as an extension of the concept of having faith or believing in something that can't be empirically proven.
In a society where evidence-based reasoning and skepticism are highly valued, taking something on faith can sometimes be seen as less rational. However, there are instances where relying on faith can be necessary or even desired.
Although the idiom "take on faith" is widely understood and used, its exact frequency of usage or specific contexts may vary. It can be found in various contexts, including informal conversations, formal writing, and literature.
It is important to note that the idiom "take on faith" should not be confused with the concept of blind faith, which denotes a belief without questioning or critical examination. The idiom implies a level of deliberation and choice in accepting something without evidence, rather than a complete suspension of reasoning.
As with any idiomatic expression, the meaning and usage of "take on faith" may continue to evolve over time. It reflects the complex relationship between belief, evidence, and human understanding. While it may be tempting to strictly rely on what can be proven or observed, the idiom reminds us of the inherent limitations of knowledge and the potential value in embracing the unknown or unproven.
An idiom related to "take on faith" is "take on." The phrase "take on" can mean to accept or assume a responsibility or task. It implies a willingness to take something on and actively engage with it.
Another related idiom is "take it upon oneself." This idiom means to assume a responsibility or task without being asked or assigned. It implies a sense of initiative and personal drive in taking on a role or duty.
Lastly, the idiom "take for granted" is also related to "take on faith." The phrase "take for granted" means to assume or accept something as true or valid without questioning or appreciating it fully. It implies a lack of skepticism or critical examination.
Example usage
Examples of the idiomatic phrase "take on faith":
- She decided to take the advice of her friend on faith and invest in the new business.
- He asked his students to take on faith that the formula they were learning would be useful in their future careers.
- Despite not having any tangible evidence, she chose to take his word on faith and borrowed him money.
More "Trust" idioms
