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大事を取る (だいじをとる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ru)
play it safe ; take no chances ; be prudent
Used when someone chooses a cautious course of action to avoid risk, often in health, travel, or decision-making contexts. Implies erring on the side of caution.
天てん 気き が 悪わる い から 、 大だい 事じ を 取と っ て 早はや め に 出しゅっ 発ぱつ しよう 。
The weather is bad, so let's play it safe and leave early.
Written forms 大だい 事じ を 取と る
大だい 事じ をとる
Variant spelling using hiragana for the verb part; equally common.
Similar words 用よう 心じん する Means 'to be careful' or 'to take precautions' against potential danger. 大事を取る focuses more on choosing a safer option to avoid any risk, often implying a deliberate decision to be overly cautious.
安あん 全ぜん 策さく を 取と る Literally 'to take a safety measure', more formal and direct. 大事を取る is a common idiomatic expression used in everyday conversation.
Etymology The phrase combines 大事 (important matter) with 取る (to take), literally 'to take something as important'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has become a set expression meaning to act cautiously.
