Phrase: 'took it so for granted'

Associations

This phrase means to underestimate or not appreciate something, often because it is always available. When you "take something for granted," you fail to recognize its value because you assume it will always be there.

• Example 1: "I took my family for granted while I was busy with work." This means that the speaker did not appreciate their family as much as they should have because they assumed they would always be there.
• Example 2: "He took his health for granted until he got sick." The speaker did not value good health and only realized its importance when they faced a health issue.
• Example 3: "Many people take their friends for granted during tough times." This means that during difficult times, people might forget to appreciate the support of their friends.

A well-known synonym for this phrase is "never appreciated." The key difference is that "never appreciated" can imply a lack of awareness from the start, while "took it for granted" suggests that there was at least some recognition at one point.

Substitution

Here are some alternatives that can replace "took it for granted":

• "Underestimated" - This implies you thought something was less important than it actually is.
• "Ignored" - This suggests completely overlooking something.
• "Overlooked" - This means failing to notice something important. Each of these substitutes carries a slightly different meaning. For example, "underestimated" focuses on belief about importance, but "ignored" implies active neglect.

Deconstruction

Let's break down this phrase:

• "Took" is the past tense of "take," which means to receive or acquire.
• "It" is a pronoun that refers to the thing being considered.
• "For granted" is a phrase meaning to assume without appreciating its value.
• This entire phrase combines these parts to express a sense of neglect regarding something that should have been valued. Historically, the phrase "take for granted" originates from the idea of taking something as a given without thought.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you took something for granted? What was it?
• How might recognizing the value of something change the way you treat it?
• In what situations do you think people commonly take things for granted? Why?