take care
phrase
1
: to be careful or watchful : to exercise caution or prudence
Because fish is more delicate than beef, take care when pounding it thin.—Sam Gugino
Patients also should take care in storing their drugs because heat exposure could affect their efficacy, [Aaron] Bernstein says.—Marlene Cimons
—often used informally to express good wishes when parting, at the end of a message, etc.I'll see you next week. Take care!
2
: to give particular attention to doing or not doing something
When he had finished writing, Cluny pushed the parchment under his pillow, taking care to leave just a small corner of it jutting out.—Brian Jacques
In this land of ritual, Westerners should take care to inform themselves of protocol.—Jeff Morgan
Open oysters carefully just before they are required, taking care not to spill the liquor in their deep shells.—Elizabeth Craig
see also take care of
Cite this Entry
“Take care.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20care. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.
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