Cool MateTake it easy vs Try to relax
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Take it easy
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Try to relax
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: Try to relaxMost common: Take it easy
| Take it easy | Try to relax | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //teɪk ɪt ˈiː.zi//🇺🇸 //teɪk ɪt ˈiː.zi// | 🇬🇧 //traɪ tə rɪˈlæks//🇺🇸 //traɪ tə rɪˈlæks// |
| Meaning | Don't worry or stress too much. | Make an effort to calm down. |
| Example | After a long week at work, I just want to take it easy this weekend. | After a long week, I always try to relax on the weekend. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | take it easy on someone, take it easy for a while, take it easy, relax | try to relax, try to relax your mind, try to relax in nature |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'take it lightly' which has a similar but different meaning., Using in serious contexts, like work or formal settings, where it may not apply. | Using 'try and relax' instead of 'try to relax'., Forgetting to use 'to' after 'try'., Using 'relaxing' instead of 'relax' in this phrase. |
| Usage notes | Use in casual conversations to suggest someone relax; not suitable for formal situations. Great for friends or family. | Used in informal contexts to suggest someone should calm down. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Take it easy vs Try to relax
What's the difference between Take it easy and Try to relax?
Take it easy: Don't worry or stress too much. Try to relax: Make an effort to calm down.
Which is more formal: Take it easy and Try to relax?
Try to relax is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Take it easy and Try to relax?
Take it easy is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Take it easy: After a long week at work, I just want to take it easy this weekend. Try to relax: After a long week, I always try to relax on the weekend.
Can I use Take it easy and Try to relax interchangeably?
Not always. Take it easy and Try to relax are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.