value
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a good value
1. Literally, that which has a high quality, quantity, or worth but is offered at a low or reasonable price; a bargain. $1.50 for a sirloin steak? What a good value! Are you sure that car's a good value? It's pretty old and not exactly cheap! The bill for lunch only came to $17? That's a good value, I'd say.
2. An affable, charismatic, or entertaining person. Primarily heard in Australia. John's a good value, he's so much fun to have at parties. I'm very fond of Tom, he's just a good value all around. Our date was fine—Joe's a good value, we just don't have any chemistry.
appreciate in value
To increase in value over time; to become able to command a higher price. What a cute little neighborhood! A house here is sure to appreciate in value. Does a car ever appreciate in value? I've heard that it's worth less than what you paid the minute you drive it off the lot. It's taken time, but our house has appreciated in value significantly over the years.
See also: value
at face value
1. Based on the way someone or something appears or seems, without being verified or investigated first. It's important that the current period of economic growth is not taken at face value by the government, as there is still a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done. You can't judge someone like Nicole at face value—she's actually much friendlier than she seems at first. Don't try to pick apart this movie for deeper meaning, just take it at face value.
2. In exchange for the official price printed on a ticket (as opposed to a resale price determined by the seller). I'll even sell you the tickets at face value. Come on, that's a good deal! If we want to see The Rolling Stones, we need to get tickets at face value before they sell out—they'll be way too expensive once people start reselling them. I hope you bought these at face value and didn't pay more than they're worth.
be taken at face value
To be accepted only based on the way someone or something appears or seems, without being verified or investigated first. It's important that the current period of economic growth is not taken at face value by the government, as there is still a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done. The best salespeople are the ones who are taken at face value by their customers. This is just a fun, light-hearted movie, meant be to taken at face value. Don't look for deeper meaning.
face value
The apparent or base value of something, assessed without further examination or consideration. Don't try to pick apart this movie for deeper meaning, just take it at face value. I made a mistake when I took my manipulative aunt's word at face value. You can't judge someone like Nicole at face value—she's actually much friendlier than she seems at first.
have an eye for (something)
To be particularly perceptive or discriminating in a certain discipline or activity, especially an aesthetic one. I just don't have an eye for design, so I need you to help me pick out paint colors. If you're going to be an editor, then you better have an eye for detail. No, you don't have an eye for color. Black will totally wash you out, so try this turquoise dress instead.
know the price of everything and the value of nothing
To be so materialistic that one is unable to gauge or recognize something's true value. The phrase comes from Oscar Wilde. Did you see her Christmas list? Geez, teens today know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Yeah, Michael has lots of fancy things, but I suspect he knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
nuisance value
The importance of a person or thing relative to their ability to cause problems or vexation. Sure, an old car looks really cool, but replacement parts are so hard to find that it's got a high nuisance value.
take (someone or something) at face value
To accept or trust someone or something based only on an initial or superficial presentation, without taking further proof, verification, or investigation into account. I've learned never to take corporate PR statements at face value. It's hard to take Jeff at face value when he's been caught lying in the past.
value (someone or something) above (someone or something else)
To place greater value on someone or something, or to regard someone or something more highly or favorably, than someone or something else. You really shouldn't value the needs of your business above the needs of your family. Tom's the baby of the family, and it always felt like Mom valued him above the rest of us when we were growing up. At our company, we value customer satisfaction above all else.
value (someone or something) as (someone or something else)
To regard someone or something as a very valuable kind of person or thing. I've always valued Sarah as the little sister I never had. Even though he wasn't being paid, Tom valued the internship as one of the best experiences of his life.
value (someone or something) for (someone or something else)
To regard someone or something as very valuable because of a particular aspect or quality. He may not be the most tactful person in the world, but I've always valued Tom for his honesty and integrity. I really value these gadgets for the convenience they afford me.
value (something) at (some amount of money)
To determine that something is worth a particular amount of money. The jeweler valued my diamond ring at only $2,000, even though I paid over $4,000 for it! I heard that their house has been valued at nearly a million dollars!
value judgment
A judgment about someone or something based upon one's own personal beliefs, opinions, ideologies, etc., rather than objective facts or criteria. Their decision to fire him seems like a value judgment, as the manager has expressed in the past how he disliked Mike on a personal level. I implore you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, not to make a value judgment when deciding my defendant's fate. You can't convict just because she disgusts you at a personal level—you have to decide whether she broke the law or not.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
at face value
from outward appearance; from what something first appears to be. (From the value printed on the "face" of a coin or bank note.) Don't just accept her offer at face value. Think of the implications. Joan tends to take people at face value and so she is always getting hurt.
take someone or something at face value
to accept someone or something just as it appears; to believe that the way things appear is the way they really are. He means what he says. You have to take him at face value. I take everything he says at face value.
take something at face value
to accept something exactly the way it appears to be. I don't know whether I can take her story at face value, but I will assume that she is not lying. The committee took the report at face value and approved the suggested changes.
value someone or something above someone or something
to hold someone or something to be more important than someone or something. I value her above all things. He values his car above his family!
value someone or something as something
to hold someone or something in esteem as something; to find someone or something to be as good as something. I value you as a close friend. I value this watch as a keepsake.
See also: value
value someone or something for something
to hold someone or something in esteem for a particular quality. I value him for his skill in negotiation. I value this car for its speed and dependability.
value something at something
to consider something to be worth a certain amount. The museum curator valued the vase at one million dollars. I value this vase at one million dollars.
See also: value
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
at face value, take
Accept from its outward appearance, as in You can't always take a manufacturer's advertisements at face value; they're bound to exaggerate . Literally this idiom has referred to the monetary value printed on a bank note, stock certificate, bond, or other financial instrument since the 1870s. The figurative usage is from the late 1800s.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
at face value
COMMON
1. If you take what someone says at face value, you accept it and believe it without thinking about it very much. Clients should know better than to take the advice of a salesman at face value. He can be a little too trusting at times and has a tendency to accept things at face value.
2. If you take someone at face value, you accept the impression that they give of themselves, even though this may be false. For a time I took him at face value. At that time, I had no reason to suspect him. She tends to accept people at face value. Note: The face value of a coin or banknote is the amount that is printed on it, although it may in fact be worth more or less than that amount, for example because it is very old.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
take somebody/something at face ˈvalue
accept that somebody/something is exactly as they/it first appears: You can’t take everything she says at face value. ♢ A diplomat learns not to take everything at face value.a ˈvalue judgement
(especially British English) (American English usually a ˈvalue judgment) (disapproving) a judgement about something that is based on somebody’s personal opinion and not on facts: ‘She’s quite a good driver for a woman.’ ‘That’s a real value judgement. Women drive just as well as men.’ ♢ He’s always making value judgements.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
take at face value, to
To accept something or someone at its apparent worth. The transfer of face value from monetary currency to other matters took place in the nineteenth century. “He must take advertisements of publishers at their face value and regard them as what they claim to be,” wrote J. L. Whitney (The Literary World, 1883).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer