taken

(Is) this (seat) taken?

an inquiry made by a person in a theater, auditorium, etc., asking someone already seated whether an adjacent seat is available or already taken. Finally, Bill came to a row where there was an empty seat. Bill leaned over to the person sitting beside the empty seat and whispered, "Is this seat taken?" Fred: 'Scuse me. This taken? Alice: No. Help yourself.

See also: this

someone's point is well taken

someone's idea or opinion is accepted and appreciated. Your point is well taken and I will see that it is not forgotten.

See also: point, well

mouse that has but one hole is quickly taken

Prov. It is dangerous to always depend on just one thing, because if it fails you, you will not have any alternatives. Don't put all your money in a single bank account. The mouse that has but one hole is quickly taken.

See also: but, has, hole, mouse, one

No offense taken.

I am not offended [by what you said]. (See also No offense meant.) Pete: Excuse that last remark. I did not want to offend you. Tom: It's okay. No offense taken.

See also: offense

taken aback

Cliché surprised and confused. When Mary told me the news, I was taken aback for a moment. When I told my parents I was married, they were completely taken aback.

taken for dead

appearing to be dead; assumed to be dead. I was so ill with the flu that I was almost taken for dead. The accident victims were so seriously injured that they were taken for dead at first.

See also: dead

taken with someone or something

highly attracted to someone or something. She was really quite taken with the young man who escorted her to the ball. The audience was taken with the stage setting.

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have taken leave of your senses  (old-fashioned)

if you have taken leave of your senses, you are behaving in a strange or silly way (often used in questions) You're leaving your family and your job to travel round the world, at your age? Have you taken leave of your senses?

See also: have, leave, sense

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taken aback

confused or surprised by something unexpected Company executives have been taken aback by the criticism. I asked him directly if he was looking for someone with my skills, and I think he was kind of taken aback.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of aback (backward), which is not used in modern English

taken with somebody/something

attracted to someone or something Carpenter was so taken with the sculpture that he persuaded the town to sell it to him. I was really taken with her, and admired her talent and personality.