phrasal verb · neutral
take pity on
UK/teɪk ˈpɪti ɒn/US/teɪk ˈpɪti ɑn/take PI·ty on
to feel sorry for someone and do something kind or helpful for them
Examples
“Seeing the old man struggling, she took pity on him and carried his bags.”
“The teacher took pity on the student and gave an extension for the assignment.”
“Don't always take pity on people who make the same mistake; they need to learn.”
Band 8 sentence
“The government should not simply take pity on displaced families but provide long-term resettlement solutions.”
Collocations
- take pity on someone
- take pity on the homeless
Word family
Common mistakes
pity on→take pity on
feel pity about→take pity on
Say it for a higher band
5feel sorry for→6sympathise with→7+take pity on
Synonyms
feel sorry for
sympathise with
Easily confused
feel sorry for
“I feel sorry for him because he lost his job.”
Related words
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