take at face value
Meaning(s)
1. accept something or what somebody says without question
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
take what somebody says at face value
Analysis
To take something or someone at face value means to trust without verification or investigation. Whether in a social or professional context, trust without verification can be a sign of naivety and result in negative repercussions, especially when dealing with somebody with an ulterior motive. You can also take someone or something at face value out of desperation, especially where money is concerned. Similar phrases are 'place trust in,' and 'have faith in.'
Social Examples (Basic)
- Richard is far too trusting of Sarah. He takes everything she says at face value.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- I know we need the money, but we should do our due diligence on the potential investor to try and ascertain his true financial situation instead of just taking his offer at face value.
- It's hard to know whether we can take the CEO's promises at face value. He might have just been saying what the shareholders wanted to hear.