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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Take a dim view of

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

Disapprove of something or regard it as unacceptable.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. Our tutor takes a dim view of copying another student’s work.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

Disapprove of something or regard it as unacceptable.
Show the answer

Take a dim view of — Disapprove of something or regard it as unacceptable.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Take a dim view of” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

Disapprove of something or regard it as unacceptable.

Compare: Our tutor takes a dim view of copying another student’s work.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this expression when describing a negative judgement about conduct or a proposal. It sounds fairly firm and is common in workplace discussion.

More examples in context

  • The organiser took a dim view of people leaving litter in the hall.
  • I take a dim view of changing agreed terms without telling anyone.

Usage note

Use “of” before a noun or -ing form: “a dim view of arriving late”. It concerns disapproval rather than poor eyesight or a room with little light.

A short conversation

A: Can we skip the equipment checks to save time?
B: The coordinator would take a dim view of that. They are part of the agreed routine.
A: Then we should allow enough time to do them.

One more practice question

If a teacher takes a dim view of cheating, what is their attitude?

A. They disapprove of it.
B. They actively encourage it.

Check your answer

A. Taking a dim view means judging something negatively.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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