take something as read

• Audio (General Australian):

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take something as read (third-person singular simple present takes something as read, present participle taking something as read, simple past took something as read, past participle taken something as read)

1. (idiomatic) To assume that everyone agrees that something is correct.

   Synonym: take something as granted

   We can take your resignation as read, can we?

   • 1901, H. Rider Haggard, Pearl-Maiden:

     Any one wish to see it? No? Then we will take it as read. I know that in such a matter, my patrons, my word is enough for you.

   • 1928, Dorothy Sayers, The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club‎^[1]:

     Poor old George! All right, sir, you needn't tell me about him. Usual story. Decentish job--imprudent marriage--chucks everything to join up in 1914--invalided out--job gone--health gone--no money--heroic wife keeping the home-fires burning--general fed-upness. Don't let's harrow our feelings. Take it as read.

• The word read is the past participle of read and so is pronounced red.
• Usually phrased using it and followed by a that clause, as in the first example.

• See also Thesaurus:suppose