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Glite Dictionary
to take in vain

to take in vain

11 8.4
To say God's name in a careless or disrespectful way
  • phrasal verb
  • /teɪk ɪn veɪn/
  • NSFW
: blasfemar
  • It is considered disrespectful to take in vain the name of God during casual conversations.
  • taking His name in vain
  • take God's name in vain

Examples

  • They take God's name in vain to further their own self-interests.

    Blog text (7)

  • But the Lord will not hold them guiltless who take that name in vain.

    Blog text (17)

  • I'll not have the Lord's name taken in vain in my prison.

    Academic text (2005)

  • But for Heaven's sake, don't take his name in vain.

    Blog text (21)

  • "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."

    Blog text (26)

  • The third commandment says, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain."

    Blog text (26)

  • Many people believe that using the Lord's name in a joke is a way to take in vain His holiness.

  • She was reminded that to take in vain God's name is to show a lack of reverence and respect.

Synonyms

to disrespect
vsto take in vain
116 3.5

To show a lack of respect for someone

applies specifically to casual use of sacred names rather than general low regard
to desecrate
vsto take in vain
37 8.1

To damage or show disrespect to a holy place, for example a grave

targets sacred names in speech rather than harming objects
to make a mockery of
vsto take in vain
26 6.7

To treat something as silly and show no respect

aims at sacred names in casual speech rather than broad ridicule
to blaspheme
vsto take in vain
  • Offensive
10 9.6

To speak about God or holy things in a rude way

uses a sacred name casually without reverence
to derogate
vsto take in vain
1 8.4

Say or do things that make someone seem less respected

focuses on casual use of sacred names rather than belittling people

Antonyms

respect
996 1.0

A feeling of admiration for someone because they are good or successful

honor
  • US
498 2.2

Respect given to a person for good moral behavior

Surface Forms

take in vain infinitive
taking in vain present participle
takes in vain third person singular
took in vain past
taken in vain past participle

Morphology

take + in + vain

The overall meaning 'to use a name (especially God) disrespectfully' cannot be derived from the literal senses of 'take' + 'in' + 'vain' — a B1 learner knowing the constituents is more likely to interpret 'in vain' as 'without success' or 'uselessly', which does not indicate irreverence. This is a conventional, somewhat biblical/formal idiom whose specific sense is language- and culture-bound rather than compositional, so learners need prior exposure to grasp it.

Etymology

Take in vain comes from an old command in the Bible that warned people not to take the name of God 'in vain', meaning not to use it for nothing, as a false promise, or in casual talk. So, it now means 'to use a name or phrase, especially God, without proper respect'.