- Used to lend weight to advice or a statement by emphasizing that it's based on the speaker's personal experience.
- It implies credibility and suggests the listener should trust the speaker's judgment on this matter.
Explanation
Origin
- The phrase implies that the listener should accept (take) the information or advice because its source (from me) is reliable due to firsthand experience.
- It's a common colloquial way to establish experiential authority.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Trust... (As in Trust, you don't wanna do that.)
- For real...
- Straight up...
- Real talk...
- I been there... (AAVE influence, emphasizes shared experience)
Milder/Standard:
- In my experience...
- I've found that...
- Based on what I've seen...
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Most effective when the speaker genuinely has relevant experience.
- Can sound arrogant or boastful if used inappropriately or too frequently.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The authoritative tone might be perceived as pushy if the relationship isn't close or if the listener doesn't value the speaker's experience.
Examples
- Take it from me, learning a new language takes consistent practice.
- Don't underestimate the difficulty of that hike. Take it from me, I barely made it.
- Take it from me, that 'get rich quick' scheme is a scam.
Dialogue
Student: I think I can cram for the final exam the night before.
Tutor: Take it from me, that's a terrible idea for this course. The material is too dense. I've seen many students try and fail.
Student: Oh. Okay, maybe I should start studying earlier then.
Social Media Examples
- Forum advice: To anyone starting freelance writing: track your income and expenses meticulously from day one. Take it from me, tax season is brutal otherwise. #freelance #writingtips
- Comment: Take it from me, don't buy cheap tools if you plan to use them often. You'll just end up buying them twice. #DIY
Response Patterns
- Okay, I believe you.
- Really? Good to know.
- Thanks for the warning/advice.
- Wow, okay.
- Sometimes skepticism: What makes you say that?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Listener might inquire about the speaker's specific experience: What happened when you tried it? / How do you know?
- Listener often gives the advice more weight due to the personal testimony.
Conversation Starter
- No. Used within a conversation to back up a piece of advice or information.
Intonation
- Emphasis is usually placed strongly on me.
- The tone is often confident, cautionary, or knowing.
- Example: Take it from me, you don't want to go there.
Generation Differences
- Common across most adult generations.
Regional Variations
- Widely used and understood in all English-speaking regions.